[on dark cream stationary]

Sunday Nov. 14 8 P.M.

'37 [LP's handwriting]

Dearest Linus:

I have a little cold. Little Crellie had a slight one when I returned and perhaps it came from him. It isn't very serious. The foreskin had again adhered to Crellie's penis so I pulled it back gently and it has begun to tear loose. I'm sure it will be all right. Mrs. Devy [?] was to embarrassed to touch his little peanie I guess. I showed her carefully just how to do it. That is a difficulty with badly trained people. Crellin weighed 17#2 oz today and is 27 inches long. Please don't think I didn't measure accurately either because I can get him to 29 inches pretty easily. However from heel to head crown is, I should say, 27 inches. Some wee mite! For a five month old baby. I wish you could hear Peter read. In fact the children are all very interesting and intelligent. Their observations are remarkable.

Linus pronounced "competitor" corm' pe tit' or last night when Buchman was here and we both laughed heartily. It sounded so funny. Liny used it correctly too. Only the t-i-t was a little too pronounced (made one think of Sylvia!)

How are you my darling? How is your arm? I do hope you are all right. I've been away from you one week now. Everyone seems surprised that I came home. Mrs. Bell said she didn't really expect me before Christmas. Lola has asked if I'm going back with you and I've said "no". She said she wants to take care of the baby!

Howard Lucas has just gone. He called and has stayed an hour or so. He is a sweet thing and only a little naive. He is eager to have people get along well together.

How is everything with you? You are a sweet Paddy and I love you. The Millikans had a tea this afternoon but not our place in the alphabet.

You certainly will be surprised when you see the children. My best to the Baker Lecturer's Private Laboratory and my entire love and self to the Baker Lecturer! Ava Helen Pauling

Department of Chemistry, Ithaca N.Y.

Sunday, 12 midnight.

Dearest sweet little wife of Paddy's:

I love you, my own little darling. I'm sorry today is Sunday since no letter could come from you. I've thought about you a great deal. You are my love.

I haven't told you about my wrist - I hope you haven't worried. It is much better - it still hurts, but only once in a while, and I can use my hand if I am careful.

I got up at noon today, read Time until 1, when we had Sunday dinner - chicken + dressing, ice cream. Then I came to the Lab and worked. At 4 ³⁰ Jack and I went to the Telluride House, where a tea was being held for Professor Dent. It lasted till 6; then we had sandwiches and I came back here to work. At 6 ³⁸ exactly (by my watch) I though of my little love leaving, and wished that we

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were together. I have written about 20 big pages today, and almost finished Chapter II. I'll be glad to start on a new one.

I am glad that it won't be many weeks before I come home to you, sweetheart of mine. I'm glad that you are my wife - when I'm alone I see how much happiness you bring into my life, and that I couldn't be happy alone. It seems to me that there is nothing to do that is fun without you - I haven't gone to a movie or seen the Hoards (except Lynn in the lab) or done anything except work. I need you with me, my darling. Kiss our babies for me.

Your own,

Paddy