[Letter is not dated, but LP has marked envelope "Four letters 1931 AHP to LP"]

Thursday 4.30 P.M.

Dearest Linus,

Pooh! As if I cared whether you get excited or not. Dr. McMillan told me yesterday that I'd hunt a long time to find another husband as admirable as you are - I said I wasn't looking. Of course, you might like me better!

You are so sweet. You know I told you that feeling — not at all one to make you excited. You think you're smart! I looked at myself today, and decided that Jeff and Linus might be more excited over me if they were maturer men. I'm quite a girl in that hat! Anyway they are worth all the men the world — you included.

I hope your last hours there are pleasant. You are such a darling. I've a good notion to leave Saturday afternoon for Chicago to visit Phoebe. That would fox you. What do you do say to get me excited?

I must rush to Jeff now. I just love you dreadfully but you don't need try to get foxy with me. Ummm!

Aufwiedersehen,

Ava Helen.

P.S. You're an old slow poke and a sleepy head in addition.

Love and kisses,

Ava Helen

P.S.S. I do hope you've learned some new tricks - You haven't though. I'll have to spend a month in Berkeley to bring fresh adventure into the family. I nearly wrote fresh blood.

[One of a bundle of letters. Date determined from the dates of two surrounding letters, events in the letters and the perpetual calendar]

[Letterhead:]

FACULTY CLUB

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

[Letter:]

Thursday, 1PM

Dearest lovely sweetheart:

I had such a fine surprise yesterday evening! Such beautiful pictures of you and Peter with Linus in the background came, with no warning whatever. I like them terribly, and have showed them to everyone. Kramers said Peter looked dumb as all babies, except in a few pictures, and that babies shouldn't be photographed before 4 months. Bernice Brode said her baby must have something wrong with him, since he's so ugly - and he is, having very little eyes and poorly assorted features, including a Roman nose. Lewis said he wanted us to come again next spring,

[Page 2]

and that year after next he would get us a large salary, from the Chem. Dept. alone. Next year he wants Badger to come too, to teach colloid chem.& help with the freshman. Last night's dinner at the Brode's was all right. Another nice letter from you came this morning. Just think, tomorrow I start to you - isn't that fine? I'm sorry to hear about Lena. Now I must go to get my Pullman. I'll see you Saturday morning!

Your

Paddy