September 13th
Dear Mamma,
I have not written to you for ages but have been thinking about you on your travels, and
should love to hear about your experiences in Russia whether the celebrated Pauling charm
worked irrespective on the iron curtain. Peter once remarked on looking at a picture of a bunch
of assorted diplomats in a newspaper that the Russian looked, at least, far the friendliest.
We heard via Barbara Dunitz's grapevine that Linda had been visiting Honolulu a while
ago. I hope this visit was not for health reasons- you told me she had not been feeling too well
before you left. I don't know her new address properly.
We have been having rather a straining time recently. A common friend of Peter and
Linda, who is subject to nervous breakdowns; came and recuperated with us after the latest of
these! Hers is a very deep and I think insolvable problem, and it was extremely depressing and
exhausting to try to help her through this. I think we recuperated her, physically at least, but she
left me a nervous wreck. She arrived in what she described as a hypermanic state. Which
caused her to talk solidly for ten days, only stopping to eat, which she needed to do frequently
and copiously to supply her with energy to keep on talking. So I was almost run to a shadow just
by supplying victuals.
Thomas was also a little upset by all this but settled down and was nice to her at the end.
He is teething again and grinds his six teeth constantly which is horrible to hear. He had a
birthday party for four little friends but it was a sad failure, he sat in a corner and cried and was
only comforted by much cake and many toys: We gave him a red train and some stacking tins.
Talking of presents, I don't think I ever thanked you for my birthday present, but please forgive
me, and I send now accumulated thanks with interest. It is safely tucked away in Peters account
(if that is called safe).
Love to all at home,
Julia
September
13, 1957
