Thursday afternoon

Dearest little love:

I am on the slow train through Arkansas today! I wish that it were going West- then I'd have something to be thankful for. We were held up for three hours by a wreck last night (to a freight train, not to us), and have been jogging along leisurely since then- now about four hours later- which means Washington at about 8⁰⁰ tonight: this shows that from now on I'll have to allow a little leeway in traveling. I've already become so tired of riding that I do nothing but sit (and think pleasant things about you- I'll explain (or rather, demonstrate) when I see you next Tuesday; this morning I jumped out of my berth, dressed, washed my face and combed my hair, and went to breakfast fast, without shaving, the steward having called out "Last call", even at 9 o'clock; and I haven't had enough energy since then to shave. If you were here I'd scratch you.

We are just going through a little town- West Newton, [Tenna]- the train goes right between the houses and stores on Main Street. This is the B&O. I can't lie down today, because a mistake was made in my ticket- I haven't a roomette (there are none on the train), but fortunately a lower berth was free.

The Chief reached Chicago safely (late) and I rode in a coach seat to Madison (no first-class seats were available). Mrs Williams made a nice fried-egg breakfast for me- their guest bed is the usual sort, but not so lumpy as usual, and I slept well. I've been sleeping well- until 11:30 on the Chief Tuesday, from about 9! I went over Williams work, and had lunch with him and F. Daniels, who has a wonderful set of hand-tinted photographic portraits of his wife and four children in his office. I'd like to see Mrs. D.- Farrington is a nice little fellow.

The train back to Chicago- the famous "400" flyer- was an hour and a half late on a 2 ½ hour run (the diesel locomotive had broken down), but I had time enough to catch this slow Washington train.

I notice that the air cadet across the aisle has a little OD canvas bag, with zipper; [drawing of bag] it is about 7" x 8" x 18".

I've been thinking about a possible theoretical interpretation of some data in a paper in last month OACS- I haven't any good new ideas about war work on this trip yet.

You are a wonderful girl, darling, the best in the world. I've been looking forward to getting back to you ever since leaving. The time will be half gone in 13 hours (it is 2 now- 11 AM in Pasadena), and from then on I'll be coasting over the hill to you. This trip is a boring one; I hope that my presentation of our work at the meeting tomorrow is good.

We have just passed long rows of hundreds of old beehive ovens, in which coke was made; one of the ovens is occupied by a tenant, an old man.

Eat well, don't work to hard, build up your strength for the reunion next Tuesday with

Your adoring

Paddy

Love to Linda, Crellie, Peter.