Saturday, Jan. 19, '57

Dear Mom and Pop:

First of all many thanks to everyone from both of us for what was all in all a most gratifying and pleasant Christmas. In retrospect it is a most pleasant memory for us. We arrived back in Portland without difficulty, traveling by Pullman car was a novel experience for Lucy, and very painless for both of us. We had one roomette for the two of us, small, but more than adequate. We ate supper of cheese and crackers, since we ran low of finances, and food is just too expensive on the train. Ran into Marguerite Poulson on the train, she is at Cal. She had a huge rock on her finger, and Lucy flaunted her sapphire. Tres amusant.

Also I discovered upon our return that my grades are improving over the midsemester mark, at which all were satisfactory with the exception of Philosophy. Phil has turned out to be a great disappointment - the instructor is a bigoted ass who will not respect one's opinions unless they coincide with his. I am unable to understand the reasoning of the powers that be when they fired Dr. Wier. As a result, I have decided to drop Philosophy at the semester break and take the semester course in Bio-chemistry instead. I discussed this with Dr. Livermore, the instructor in Bio-chem, and Dr. Cronyn, and they both feel that this would be an advisable course of action. I am, with the exception of Philosophy, generally satisfied with my grades, not as satisfied as I might be but more so than I have been yet at Reed. I also have been giving a good bit of consideration to transferring to another school next year, the one given primary consideration is the U of Cal at Riverside, with Berkeley or UCLA as seconds. Riverside has advantages, small, not near to interesting metropolis like San Francisco. Cronyn and Livermore think that Riverside might be a good choice, they both mentioned it when I inquired about California universities, without mentioning any one in particular. Dr. Livermore seemed sad that I must leave Reed, but I agree with you in that Reed is a luxury that with a wife and child I can better do without. So, I am going to write to Riverside and see what can be arranged. However, I would be interested in your opinion as to the relative merits of these schools.

Which brings up another matter. I am going to need some degree of financial support in order to continue here until June, and am curious to know what you intend to do in regards with this matter. Lucy's Pop is going to pay tuition to Reed, and is going to send us the amount that Reed charges for room and board. Her sister was sending $40 a month, but one was hard-pressed to do this and so I felt that everything else remaining static we could do without it. If you are unwilling to provide assistance I will stop school now and work here until June, so that Lucy can finish the year, and then come home. If you are willing to continue as before, I will continue here at Reed until June. I will enclose a copy of costs for the present academic year. I would appreciate hearing from you in regards to this matter as payments are expected by 6 Feb.

[Crellin Pauling]