[on dark cream stationary]

Monday Nov. 15 9.05 P.M.

'37 [LP's handwriting]

Sweetest Paddy in the world;

Today Mr. Castleman came and took Peter, Linda, and me to see a couple of houses. He meant to take us to the Hart property but Peter inadvertently declared the fact that we'd been there! He did show us one house though that a bank owns that is a certainly well built and spacious house. It is on Foothill not far from Christmas Tree Lane. I had a good talk with him. He is I think a better real estate man than most. He sold the Laekhart (Kimmelan) property to the Plentridge school for girls and said we could probably buy an acre or so there, but that they'd probably want $500'0 per acre. All of which makes the Spencer place not so unreasonable.

How are you, dear Linus. We ( [?] ) had a good dinner tonight, good meat, baked potatoes, and gravy and Lola made gingerbread with hard sauce for dessert.

Two letters came today. I'm glad you had such a good time at Schenectady. Id you see Coolidge, or Langmuir [?]?

I called Mrs. Bates today and asked if I might go them them [sic] on Thursday to the Gates dinner. She seemed pleased rather

[page 2]

than otherwise.

Do you know my cold didn't develop? I have only a slight sniffle and I was sure last night I'd have a severe cold today!! The children are well. The little Crellie's peanie is still rather raw since I pull the skin loose a little further each day. He is a sweet little baby - really should be someone's first baby except that you couldn't do so well a first time.

I enjoyed the little clipping. I hope you will soon come home.

There hasn't been any rain yet here. Mr. Crane [?] called at the house here apparently. (That's how he knew about the baby.) Mrs Crane was with him Lola said.

You are a darling boy and I adore you. And as for loving you more - I love you too much already. The book must be progressing at a furious rate if you are now ahead of yourself. I see plainly why you wanted me to come home. Everyone was surprised here too. Did I tell you that I called the Crellins? They seemed glad to know that I was home. Mr. Crellin isn't very well apparently. He said he had a cold. Well, I must go to bed now but I have some duties first. Love, Ava Helen Pauling

Monday at 12 ⁴⁵ .

Dearest little wife of Paddy's:

Today I was happy to get three letters from you, two written on the train and one from home. Did you get enough to eat on the train with the two dollars you spent? I liked the clipping from Dorothy Dix. ...

I'll be interested to hear what place Mr. Castleman's taking you to see. You mustn't hire Mrs Dery anymore, but you must get some other girl so that you will have more time to do the things you want to do.

Isn't it extraordinary that you can wear Peter's shoes? I can hardly believe it. You have sweet little feet - I love you with ever bit of me, and can stand being away from you only by hard at work. I can't even read, but writing on the book keeps me from being lonesome for you. Today I finished Chapter II completely, and now I have just planned Chapter III.

It seems to me that you probably shouldn't get the accordion for Linus; but I know that what you decide will be best.

I got up this morning at 10, having slept pretty well but having had some dreams about affairs at the Institute and such. I got my laundry ready, came to the Lab. and read your letters, and then worked refereeing papers for Lamb until lunch (at 12 ⁵⁰ ) and also in the afternoon. After lunch I walked to town and bought some air mail envelopes for your letters and got some money from the bank; I met Neurath & the Fellows and rode back with them. (I have spent nothing since you left except on the Schenectady trip, for which I haven't yet been reimbursed.) After working on more refereeing and having tea I looked at the magnetic apparatus, which was giving trouble, and found that Shaffer was using an iron wire (or rather nichrome - also magnetic) to hold the sample! After dinner we had our Telluride meeting till 745, & then I talked to Hoard in the Lab. until 9, and worked until now. I am glad that the days are passing, and soon my sweet little wife will have with her her own

Paddy