May 27, 1950

Dear Mom and Pop,

Much time, much news. After getting a rather depressed-sounding letter from Pete a few days ago, we decided to invite him (with considerable misgivings, eg whether his siblings would feel left out, whether his we would be able to do things we want to do together, etc) to go to Europe with us this summer. He talked with Anita this morning (I was at the Hospital) and seemed anxious to go. He will undoubtedly be a problem to us since many of the people we would like to see would prefer to have us by ourselves. But on the other hand Peter is a charming chap, especially when he isn't felling sorry for himself. But the main purpose, and the one I hope we can achieve, is to help him feel more satisfied with the world. Whether taking him to Europe and camping with us, perhaps giving him enough money to go where he wants will help him through this apparently difficult time. I don't know. But I hope so.

I also hope that you won't think we're interfering too much with your upbringing of Peter. For example, we've been thinking off and on of offering to pay his tuition to a place like Severthmore, if he wanted to go there. But we've felt that you might not like our interference. Anyway. I'd like to know what you do think.

Another subject that we've hashed over and over with much greater intensity: what to do with Linie this summer. We have finally decided to leave him with the Chadwicks in Palos Verdes. Margaret Chadwick is not going to work at her school this summer, and apparently is perfectly willing to let her time be occupied by the little character for 2 ½ months. We thought of asking you to take care of him, but decided that you had enough to do with the young problems already on your hands. We decided not to leave him here with my classmate Michener because he would be in actual charge most of the time because his wife works to earn a living, and we feel that in some respect the male of the species is not as satisfactory for the long-term care of a child as the female.

Anyway, this means that for the middle 2 weeks of June Anita and little Linie will be in California, and would like to visit you for awhile if you will be there. It won't be very long, a couple of days, because the purpose of the period is to accustom the infant to the care of his new provider.

With the $10 you sent for Anita's birthday I bought a beautiful serrate-leafed philodendron for $5, a dozen flaming gladioli for $4, and a very nice little Honduras Mahogany bowl with the rest. She was exceedingly pleased with all these things.

Also, as I predicted, we are expecting a newcomer toward the middle of January. A dead-of -winter babe. Anita says that although she is intensely curious about the sex of the fetus, she doesn't care at all. She is very happy that the first turned out male though, because she thinks the older brother is a good thing for siblings to have.

All of which reminds me that I've been rather leaving Linda and Crellin in the lurch. I'll have to get busy and write them some letters. Here it is the 27^th and although we have a present for Linda we haven't sent it yet. And Crellin on June 4^th. If I fail to do anything on time, would you wish them Happy Birthday for me on their respective dates?

I am very sorry to report that our charming little French poodle, Miguette, who was such a good companion for Linie, was killed yesterday out on the road. I came home to find poor Anita weeping. Having her taught us that a dog is a valuable help in bringing up a child, especially a single child. We shall undoubtedly attempt to find another next fall.

We are in the middle of a belated but welcome Spring the daffodils are all over, the tulips are beginning to go, the dogwoods are in their full glory, the irises are just about in full boom, and the peonies are just big fat buds.

I just finished making a beautiful pine table patterned after the dining room table but only 6 feet long to go on our screen porch. We have there also a straw mat to cover the cement floor, and one of these couches that pulls out to make a double bed. Just as soon as we get rid of our spring colds and the nights get warmer, we're going to sleep on the porch.

Next week I have finals in laboratory diagnosis, medicine, and neuropathology. Then I have to decide whether to stay here and study for National Boards, or go to California with Anita.

Please don't tell Pete of our indecisions regarding taking him Anita told him that we'd have to go places alone occasionally, and he agreed but was doubtful whether we really wanted him. So I don't want to make him feel unwelcome.

Much love to all

Linus