Wed. Dec. 1, 10:45

1937 [This is in LP's handwriting]

My own love;

I am a bit woozy. I've first had a whiskey sour with Margaret Stock at the athletic club.

A man and girl with a monstrous St. Bernard come in -and I said to Margaret not to look now but there was an elephant or some strange beast in the room-and she said my whiskey was getting the better of me-but then she looked-and the dog was real. It's owners were put out of the club because they aren't members. I had dinner with Margaret and then worked two hours with Jane on her algebra. Poor Margaret after a few minutes my algebra come back and I understood what it was all about.

My luncheon was a complete success. Every one liked it. Graham Loving spoke on translations of literature and how valuable they are. He gave an excellent address. [There is a drawing of a rectangular table, showing where everybody sat in the luncheon.]

Mrs. Gates is coming on Saturday to call and to get my fruit cake recipe. She is determined to get a hold on us to out do Mrs. Crellin. She is such a spicy tongued old dame that you'll adore her-She is very religious and a devoted follower of the Oxford movement. A man came and sat on the stool next to us in the athletic club and

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when we left I inadvertently gave him an awful dig in the back with my elbow. My whiskey sour! I felt silly and begged his pardon without looking at him. Margaret told me a song which goes-

"A virgin sturgeon

needs no urgin

that's why I like caviar!"- a song a girl sang in a hot spot. What a better my whiskey soon!!

Well how is little sweet patoolig [?]? The Crellins thought I look grand and talked about my New York clothes! Oh, I'll tell you a good joke-when I went to see Coryell-Meelor was there and I thought he acted queerly and as if he felt he should leave and today I learned from Mrs. Meelor that he thought I was Coryell's loved one and that he should beat a harty [?] retreat without being obvious. He had forgotten me and thought I wanted to be alone with Coryell. I met Mrs. Corey- an ordinary woman Mrs. Meelor is very ordinary! I laughed at this [there is an arrow pointing at the above sentences]. I guess I'll be the laboratory sweetheart-I'd be a success at that and I'm not much at anything else. I guess I'll go to bed. I don't know who is in my bed to-night but I expect to find Peter there. You are a darling. Oh Mrs. Gates said she'd keep the children New Year's + we could go to the toot eroll game [?]. She Insisted as a matter of fact. AH. Loves, hugs, kisses, uzes, tongue touches.

Wednesday, 2:30 at night

Dearest sweet love:

Your Sunday letter came this morning. I was glad, but sorry to learn that peter was frightened when the baby was in the car with Coryell. You must remember that Coryell is a little thoughtless.

I have been felling that I've gone through this experience of suspended animation- completely unhappy, just working to allow the time to pass, with not hope that anything amusing can occur- before, and now I've remembered. It was during the year I spent without you in Pasadena. I wouldn't go for rides with Paul and his mother on Sundays (except on rare occasions) and I felt that the only thing worth doing was work, since I wouldn't be happy doing anything as so what I did do might was well be productive.

I rose at 11, bathed, came to the Lab. and got your letter and conducted my informal discussion group, had lunch, came back and wrote letters and did odd jobs, had tea and seminar (with Neurath speaking- I disturbed him by saying I didn't understand his equations, which then turned out to be all wrong), came to the Lab., and wrote 21 pages of Chapter VIII. VI is only half done ^{(45 pages)}, but I've gone on to VII because I'm lecturing there.

Jack came back yesterday. He had been to Penna and then New York. He brought me one apple, which was very good- was that not nice of him?

You must be happy, little sweet love of mine. Don't worry and don't be despondent. Remember that this Paddy adores you and that we can make out of our lives whatever we want- you must tell me what you want, dear love. I'm glad I've had this time away from you, to make me see that I must have a good time when I'm with you. I've decided that from now on I'm going to have fun with you all of the time; that I'm not going to just work all the time. You must get enough help so that you are free to run around and do things with me. I adore you, my own little lovely complement. Now I'm going to my lonely pallet. I wish the night were over- and the next, and next, and next, and that it were the 12^th.

Your Linus

[written in top left corner of 2^nd page]

Camel's hair blanket- back of car (trunk) I think.

I've read about Elysian Park

Thursday Dec. 2 11:30

1937 [later added in LP's handwriting]

Oh oh oh-to think of my Paddy being

so often Dim [?]........I've forgotten!

Not the Proc.Roy.Soe.[?]

[this line in AHP's handwriting]

My own darling Paddy:

Thank you sweetheart for the pretty gardenia I wore in my hair tonight. I've just returned from a boring associates dinner where Nevins, Gay + Carver spoke on economics. Gay rested completely on his Harvard reputation and gave a rambling talk completely unprepared-Nevins-a young and earnest man gave a fine well prepared and lengthy speech. He was quite nervous. Carver talked well but not very prettily. I have on my dress that you like and I look very nice with my gardenia. Curtis Crellin liked me any way. This afternoon at Mrs Batemans Mrs Gates said it wouldn't do any good for me to have another girl baby because Mrs. Crellin would make me name her "Amy"-then tonight she said "I see Mrs Crellin has scored one". Meaning my eating with the Crellins. I like Mrs Gates!!

Your letter written Monday came today. I'm glad you liked my Thursday letter. I was eager to hear what you thought of Wiggam [?]. He said other smart things too which I'll relate when you arrive. Just think my darling-a week from now-tonight you'll be well on your way to words [?] Chicago. How wonderful! I'm enclosing a clipping to prove you're not forgotten

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in the old home town.

You know I ask everybody to get moral support to not go with you in January but everyone tells me to go. You know that I'll love being with you, in the snow -and everything-but it is complicated. I'd leave Lola with the baby I think and get some one to do the work. I'm hoping that after three weeks at you home you will want to return to Ithaca alone. That would be simpler and less expensive.

Your letter was pretty smart this morning. I saw Mrs Koepfli [?] and Judy holding hands. She is a silly little fool and Joe isn't so hot I've decided. I saw him today. I saw Barrett, Mason, etc, etc tonight. Oh most of these people are horrible. Page is no longer chairman and I told him how we missed him Ruddock is now in Page's job, and Page has stepped into Robinson's shoes. At least he is on the Board of Trustees. Millikan is looking pretty feeble. Poor thing! I mean that. Mrs Millikan, too, looks old. I called Miss Harvard and arranged the Crellins table near the speakers table. Goodnight sweet love. Your own girl.

12 ⁴⁰ , Thursday

Dearest love:

I'm afraid that I'm getting stale - I've written only a few pages today. I got up at 11, came to Lab, read your sweet Monday letter, gave my lecture (which was said to be good), had lunch, returned and read Kemble's book a while, had tea & listened to seminar talk by Murdoch on Laue photographs (I discussed it), listened to Neurath ask me to help him get a job - I said there was nothing I could do -, took Hamp & Spring to the Tell. House for dinner, returned at 8, and have collected data for a table and written a few pages. Then I saw a beautiful candid sweet honest eye looking at me - my papers had got across your picture leaving a triangular opening for it to look out at me through - and I was filled so full of love and longing for that eye and the attached girl that I nearly exploded. I adore you, darling. I do hope that you will come back with me and go to Buffalo and Princeton and Yale and have a good time. Could you not get someone to do the heavy work and leave Lola in charge of the children? I love you, girlie. I love the children, too, but I think that they can spare you for the month of January. The train fare isn't much - I'd sooner have you for the month of January than any other Christmas present, and anyway I'll make enough from my Buffalo and Princeton lectures to pay the fare, without drawing on my salary checks here.

Tonight I thought "One week more and I'll be on my way home", and I was happy, because I can remember when I thought " Two weeks more", and now one of the weeks has gone by.

Coryell was married today. I hope that he is happy now. I'll see that he gets a bigger salary next year.

Tomorrow I drive to Syracuse (56 miles) to give my lecture, returning Saturday morning.

I can't think of anything to tell you except that I love you more than everything else and that you are the loveliest little darling wife in the world. My life seems completely dull without you. I'm going to have a good time when I get to you again! And I'm going to see that you are happy - you have a paddy that loves you, four sweet healthy little children, enough money to have help so that you don't have to work too hard, and can buy the things you want - now we must see that you and Paddy too take time to be happy.

I'm so lonesome that I could die.

I hope a letter comes from you tomorrow saying that you will come back with me and always stay with me. I'll be good to you, dear little girl, always. You are my own sweet little wife, the major part of me, and time is just wasted when you are not with me; it is so much time out of my life. You are my own sweet love, and in ten days from now I'll be snuggled cozily into bed with you. I do adore you, my darling.

I hope that you will be happy at CalTech and around Pasadena. I was thinking that we have fun going to A.C.S. local section meetings elsewhere - why not go to Los Angeles and see the people? I'm sure that some of them would be nice - still, I remember how long and boring they make the meetings. Now that we are councillors perhaps we should do something- get them to shorten the meetings and concentrate on the speaker, getting through in time for us to go to a night club.

I saw an awfully funny book today in Lanby's office - in Dutch, written by Cohen, the first B.L., describing his experiences. He came to Pasadena too - we were in Europe. There are pictures of Dr Noyes and Millikan in the book. When you come back with me you can see the book.

Love, love, love to my sweet girl, and love to all of our sweet babies too. I'm anxious to see them and squeeze them - but more anxious to see you.

Your own husband

Linus.

Friday Dec 3. 10:15 P.M.

1937 [this is in LP's handwriting]

Sweet Linus;

You are getting worse and worse. I took candid stock after your letter arrived this morning and decided I didn't fit any of your descriptions and that consequently you might as well remain in Ichaca: Your letter positively burned. I am afraid to leave it in the drawer. I thought the little picture was amusing. We look quite cute but with enormous foreheads. I think it must be due in part to the angle of the camera. Is this the one you thought might be good? I'm weepy and weary and I'm afraid this letter wont' be any good.

We have been in invited to Curtis Crellin's open house on Dec. 12.-the day you arrive. although I'm eager to see his house, I'm more eager to see you and I'll write saying how sorry I am.

Mrs. Gates is coming tomorrow to get my fruit cake recipe and to see the children. Linda is invited to a party.

Today I have had an interesting but curious experience. I'll tell you about it when you come.

The boys-your graduate students-are incensed that your office should

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be left in the rough-that is the pipes all exposed. They feel that at least the division office should be be finished [?]- and I think so too and I almost mentioned it to Mr. Crellin but I thought you might not like it so I didn't.

I think I'll go to bed now. I want to get a great deal done tomorrow and Sunday. I hope you get some sleep. I wish that you wouldn't work so late. I can realize very well and can see now that we won't be able to leave the children when they are older. Linda for example-will need some managing when she is around thirteen. She'll need attention too and care.

Goodnight. I love you.

ava Helen

Friday, 11 ³⁰

Dear little love: I liked your letter this morning. I rose at 11, got your letter at the Lab, borrowed the boys' car, went to the station to order my tickets, and then bought Linda (white) & Peter (brown) overshoes, and went to the bank. Then after lunch at the Tel. House I drove to Syracuse (56 miles) arriving at 3. I looked over the Chem. Bldg. & talked with the men, returned went to the hotel at 5 ¹⁵ , changed my shirt & looked over my speech, went to dinner with about 60 chemists at 6 ¹⁵ , and gave my talk to about 200 at 8 ¹⁵ . It was well received, as at Scheuectady [sic], long applause, then about 20 minutes of questions, and then more applause. One woman near the front kept her eye on her knitting throughout. Her husband asked a question - perhaps she came to keep her eye on him, since there were some passably cute girls in the audience. Then I talked a bit to McCroskey (who taught me at OAC as a freshman) and a

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couple of others, and then drove back here to the hotel.

I had read a little about Mr Wright. It is a shame that the thing had to happen. I know that one's emotions can be very strong.

Did you know that chemists working with tellurium are apt to commit suicide? It seems to have happened several times - once here - a man named Coleman working with McCroskey.

I'm excited about your surprise. I haven't got anything of importance for our Christmas.

I won't ever get tired of you, dear love. I supposed we would have to move out of the Telluride House, but perhaps the boys will ask us to stay. I'm going to make a little speech next Tuesday, I think, and thank them.

I wish I had been at your party. I've never eaten graham crackers spread with butter and grape juice.

It is awfully cold, but clear. Beebe Lake is frozen over. The ride from Ithaca here was fun. I wished that you were with me. Everyone like my lecture. Your own

Paddy

Friday night, 2 ³⁰

Dearest love:

I adore you, darling girl. A nice letter came from you today - but to think that you were woozy! I was going to say that I hadn't had anything to drink since you left, but I remember that we had champagne at Thanksgiving.

You are surely a clever girl to remember your algebra so well. I'll bet that there isn't another girl in the world so clever. I'm glad your luncheon was a success and that you've got Mrs Gates to vying with Mrs Crellin. I'll be glad to see her, too, since you say that she is sharp-tongued.

I got up at 10 this morning and drove back from Syracuse to Ithaca. Before waking I had a dream which nearly was disastrous (only 8 more days to go - I'm saving everything for you). I don't remember much of the dream. There were a couple of girls in it, and I put my hand on the uzzer of one and thought "She's no virgin" (though now I don't

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know how I told, since I made no detailed digital examination). Then I was wondering if she would need no urgin, and at that time woke up, with the feeling that if she had been an energetic chicken she would have got her fill of the present I'm saving for you in about one more minute - the hussy!

You surely are a wonderful wife - the best in the whole world. No other man has as fine a girl as I have.

I got home from Syracuse at noon. The drive was nice - clear still and cold, with the road going over nice rolling hills. I got your letter and some others which I answered, had lunch at Telluride, worked on the book all afternoon, came home at 6 and bathed & dressed in my tuxedo, went at 7 to Willard Straight for initiation banquet of Alpha Chi Sigma, chemical fraternity - jointly by Cornell & Colgate. Good dinner - steak. Professor Cavanaugh was the after toastmaster & I gave the speech - 15 or 20 minutes. Prof. C.

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retires soon - this is his last semester. His wife died last year and he feels old. He is a clever old fellow. He said that he would go to California next year if he lives that long. I talked about the use of thermodynamics and told some jokes. Then I came to the Telluride dance - Hampson & Springall came with college girls, & the Hoards, & Shaffer (stag), and the Smiths & Livingstons & Bethe & others. I danced with Mrs. S. & Mrs. H. & the boys' girls, & then Mrs Neurath asked me to dance with her! Which I did. I watched the dancing much of the time and wished that you were here - and the Telluride boys did too! They said that you look like an instructress (phys. ed.) on the campus, especially when dancing around. Her name is "Mimi" - I've never seen her.

I'm going to bed now, so I can work tomorrow. The boys seemed to be glad

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to have me at the dance. Several people have said to me that the boys like me.

They haven't invited us both to stay in the house - but perhaps they will.

Hampson's girl lives with the Masons, getting board & room for her help. She said that she was despondent when she first got there, thinking something was wrong with her, but now she has learned how to get on with them. She said that they were very rude and are moody, and strive all the time to be perfect, rather than natural. She said that she & Mrs Mason have a good time when Mason is away, but that Mrs M. becomes moody when he returns. I think that Hamp likes this girl - she is a tall lively girl something like Mrs Dalton.

Good night, dear little love. I adore you. I can't be happy without you, my own little sweetheart. Love, love, love, from your own husband

Linus

Saturday Dec. 4 10:15 PM

1937 [later written in LP's handwriting]

Darling Paddy;

I wish you might have seen our Linda today. She went to a party and looked like an angel. There are moments when one is happy to have children.

I received your Wednesday letter today. I am very sad you aren't happy. I think though that you are happier than you sound sometimes. You are my sweetheart and I love you.

I wish you could hear Peter read "Ferdinand" and Crellie laugh. Peter and Crellie are kindred souls too.

Mrs. Gates came this afternoon and Linus made punch and Peter served buttered nut bread. (Linda was away). Mrs. Gates was at her best and the children were delighted with her. She was completely taken with them too, and told them all about her accident in South Africa. I showed her the picture of you. She was impressed!

Frances Kennedy called this afternoon too, She [sic] is really a grand girl. She liked Crellie awfully well and Peter and Linus. She said Linus was wonderful so dignified and grown up-impossible that he was only twelve. Everything Mrs. Gates mentioned about South Africa Linus would say "Oh yes, I read about that in ----". Where

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ever he had read it-in National Geographic, Teddy Roosevelt, Encyclopedia, etc-even I was impressed. Mrs. Gates told him not to let Seeley Mudd get the better of him, but Linus scoffed at that and said Seeley was one of the dumber ones. Linus is smart-there is no doubt of that.

How is the Paddy Linus? Oh, Mrs. Gates said Peter was named after the Gates family. So, she wouldn't feel hurt. So Linus said "Yes that was at-Peter named for one Chemistry building and Crellie for the other" and I said and "You Linus for the best chemist in the world". He laughed and was pleased with that. And its so-the sweetheart and best one, too.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and then one more week.

Tyl is a regular little bum. There is rabies in Pasadena and many dogs are being immunized. I wish we could take him but I don't see how we can. It only lasts a year the immunization I mean.

I guess I'll go to bed. Did I tell you Mrs. Gates wants me to help her give some parties for the chemistry people the graduate students, etc. I didn't see many faculty people at the associate dinner the other night. Goodnight darling, I love you. I won't be able to write many more letters. Your girl, Ava Helen

Dec. 5, 1937

Sunday- a week from

now "my love will keep

me warm"

My sweet Paddy who tries to fool me!

Today I've

been very busy but I've had fun too! I've read the letters you wrote to me from Berkeley after Jeff was born- look I wrote "Jeff"quite automatically instead of "Peter"-you remember we called him "Jeff" at first. Even then Paddy fooled his girl-I'm afraid he read your old letters over again. I wish I'd thought of it sooner-(I love read those you wrote in May several times.) You had a grand gay time in Berkeley and had many dates. Wish you would in Cornell. It shows the difference between Berkeley and stuffy Cornell.

I asked Buchman to breakfast this morning. He stayed and stayed! He is fascinated by Crellie. I keep thinking of the Berkeley Paddy now instead of the Cornell Paddy. I am very weary tonight but still haven't the things done which I set out to do to day. I want everything done before you come.

When you were in Berkeley I felt that we could plan our lives confidently then--but the interval has taught me a great deal. I won't be able

[2^nd page]

to write to you many more times.

Mr. Crellin said you should never make a decision without me since we were partners--that what influenced you influenced me, etc. They seem to think that I'm not such a bad wife for you. It is odd how these letters have taken me back. We were worried about my having enough milk for Peter. Also Linus was causing a bit of trouble. I apparently have always either been pregnant or "milking" a baby.

I have several surprises for you my pet. Oh--I saw some mistakes in your old letters--I've forgotten them again now. When I read Rosie's Bean today--Peter said- "We must send that to Daddy." Did you like Rosie's Bean?

It is late and I want to do several things still tonight. Linus went to get help from Buchman with his arithmetic. Buchman and Howard are taking me to the Community Playhouse on Wednesday. I love you my darling sweet heart! I'll be awfully happy to be close to you again. Oh, Lala [?] came home early this evening--just slushy with her evening drink! I'll tell you later.

Ava Helen

Tuesday Dec. 7 [1937 in LP's handwriting], 9:15 a.m.

Sweetest Paddy in the world;

So my dusty eye

put a spell on you did it. I'm sending a note this morning which I hope you will get Thruesday. I love you very much and I'm happy to think that after reading this you will get on the train and come home. I wish you were taking the Super Chief. You are giving next to the lat lecture now. I suppose you are saying that Thursday's will be the last due to the lecturers wanting to see the game new year's day in Pasadena!

I do love you very, very much. You certainly are dependent on comma's. I said graham crackers spread with butter, and grape juice (mine).

Naturally I expected more from your understanding that Rem Barry say-who is getting sappier and sappier . You aren't though! Of course you can't

[2^nd page]

write more on your book because you've worn yourself out.

I think perhaps you'll be willing to return without me after you've seen the children and been at home for awhile. It would be a shame for you not to stay at the Telluride House. I think how hard it would be to find some place for us to stay. You wouldn't like that. I love you, you darling. You see men and women are different. I didn't want to come away and leave you but you didn't mind-whereas I am now used to being without you and you get lonesomer and lonesomer-or say you do-Poor darling! I love you.

I must bathe the little laboratory now who says he has been an angel long enough and is going to try being a devil for awhile and see wht that bings.

Love, love, love and come first, fast, fast to

Your girl-

Sunday night, 1 PM

Dearest little wife:

Only four more nights for me to sleep alone here, and three more on the train, and then I'll be with you! You darling - I surely do adore you. You are my own little sweetheart whom I love.

I've got 28 more pages of Chapter VII written today, even though I was busy with other things a good bit of the time. I rose at 11, came to Lab. and worked till 1, then went to the Alpha Chi Sigma house for dinner (a rather shoddy place - not to be compared with the Telluride House), and then returned to the Lab to work till 7. Then I went with Hamp & Spring to the Neurath's, where the Lauby's were - Mrs L. with her tummy a little plump. She is awfully nice. We had big sausages (red fat weiners) and cheese and beer for supper and then after talking a while played Red Dog, a simple card game, until 10 ³⁰ , when the Laubys drove me back to the Lab, where I have now been

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working for a couple of hours.

I thought about yesterday's being our little Crellie's six-month birthday several times during the day, and then forgot to mention it when writing to you last night. I hope that he had a happy day. I'm anxious to see him - but more anxious to see you, you darling (and to feel you by me).

David Dennison wrote to find out if I would be in Pasadena next year, saying that he might come out for half the year on his sabbatical.

Hamp & Spring are going to New York for a Commonwealth luncheon. They are mad about it because they don't want to go.

I've arranged about my ticket but haven't got it yet. I love you, darling. I can hardly wait for another long week to go by. I hope that you have decided to come back with me. You "are a beautiful beautiful good girl, the best girl and the best little wife in all the world. I'm awfully lonesome without you.

Your own Paddy

Monday Dec. 6[1937]

My darling sweetheart;

Two wonderful letters came from you this morning--Your Thursday one and Friday from Syracuse. I had forgotten about your going there. I'm glad that you gave such a good lecture. You are a dear boy, and I love you.

I'm glad you found errors in Neurath's work. It will teach him to ask in that condescending way whether you understand German! I thought he expected to remain at Cornell.

Your Thursday letter is sweet but you are unhappy. I hate to have you miserable. I'll return with you in January if I can possibly arrange things. The children won't like it I'm afraid and I rather hate to broach the subject to Lola although I think she would be willing. She is very eager to care for the baby. I'll look for more help right away. I thought I'd save that much since I wouldn't be going out much anyway.

Perhaps we should send Linus away for the interim. I don't know where though

[2^nd page]

Today Margaret Stock came and we made fruit cake. 20 pounds--She was over-joyed to think what a surprise she would have for Chester.

The bride and groom come in this evening. Charles is awfully happy. I gave them three jars of jam and coat hangers and offered to be of any assistance. They didn't use the sleeping bag--too cold.

Buchman telephoned--he says he knew I'd go back with you and that they all have a personal interest in this affair and are willing to sacrifice having me here for you!!! He is a mutt! But rather good for me just now.

Oh my sweet I do love you. You know that I want to be with you. In your letters from Berkeley in 1931 you are always suggesting that we never leave each other and always stick together! But you always forget.

I love you. I'll come and meet you. I haven't driven the car however because I haven't had time to practice. I would better wait for you anyway. I love you. Goodnight sweet love and be happy. Your Ava Helen

Monday, 1 ²⁰

Dearest love:

Only three more nights alone here, and three on the train! I can hardly wait till Thursday night to get started back to my sweet- [new line] heart.

Last night it snowed - starting in the late afternoon - and when I went home at about 2 ³⁰ there was a beautiful heavy blanket of pure white crunchy snow over everything. I think that snow must be as pure as anything on earth, with first its refine- [new line] ment by evaporation into the sky and then its further purification by crystalliza- [new line] tion. I walked home through about 4 inches of snow, and had ½ inch on my chest and shoulders and hat when I reached the house. Today it has snowed some more, and now it has stopped. The sidewalks are shoveled off early in the morning.

Today I rose at 11, bathed, came to Lab and found your letter. I'm glad

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that you have decided to come with me in January. You are probably right in saying that we are in for a long seige (15 years) of taking care of our children.

I worked at odd jobs during the day, patching up the manuscript here and there, and tonight I have finished Chapter VII (half of VI remains now, and about all of VII, IX, X, XI and perhaps XII). I am not working very well now - I've gone stale; I don't believe that I wrote over 15 pages today - perhaps a few more. I need you to play with me and love me and make me happy again. I adore you, my own little darling.

A letter came from Taylor. We are to go to Princeton on Wed. Jan. 12^th , staying till Saturday. That will be fun. Kisty [sic] & Bright are to be there.

Another letter (Friday's) came from you in the afternoon mail. Also

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James wrote to me.

I'm glad that you liked the letter Ovid and I collaborated on.

Don't you got too intimate with that Curtis Crellin! Or with anyone else! You're my girl, and you'd better remember it! I'm sorry the Associates' dinner wasn't more fun for you, and that Millikan and Barrett are looking old. How is Morgan? I saw in the paper [added in]^ N.Y. Times that he was asked by a reported over the phone from New York what he thought of Goldschmidt's statements that genes don't exist and that all he said was "I am familiar with Dr Goldschmidt's ideas."

You are a bad girl to say that you had an interesting but curious experience and [inserted in] ^then not tell me about it.

I don't supposed that you will answer this letter. Will you be glad to

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have your Paddy with you again? You surely have crept into Paddy's heart and expanded until now you fill his whole life. I adore you, little love.

Your own

Linus

[Letter written on brown stationary]

Tuesday Dec. 7 9.15 A.M.

1937 [Added by LP later]

Sweetest Paddy in the world;

So my dusty eye put a spell on you did it. I'm sending a note this morning which I hope you will get Thursday. I love you very much and I'm happy to think that after reading this you will get on the train and come home. I wish you were taking the Super Chief. You are giving next to the last lecture now. I suppose you are saying that Thursday's will be the last due to the lecturers wanting to see the game New Years day in Pasadena!

I do love you very, very much. You certainly are dependent on comma's. I said graham crackers spread with butter, and grape juice (mine). Naturally I expected more from your understanding than Rem Barry say - who is getting sappier and sappier. You aren't though! O f course you can't

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write more on your book because you've worn yourself out.

I think perhaps you'll be willing to return without me after you've seen the children and been at home for awhile. It would be a shame for you not to stay at the Telluride House. I think how hard it would be to find some place for us to stay. You wouldn't like that. I love you, you darling. You see men and women are different. I didn't want to come away and leave you but you didn't mind - whereas I am now used to being without you and you get lonesomer and lonesomer - or say you do - Poor Darling! I love you.

I must bathe the little laboratory now who says he has been an angel long enough and is going to try being a devil for awhile and see what that brings.

Love, love, love, and come fast, fast, fast to

Your girl -

AHP [her monogram]

Tuesday 2.30 P.M.

My Love:

To think that for the first time I have received no letter from you. The postman couldn't believe it either and looked several times. Then he remembered that he had no airmail at all so decided something had delayed the plane. I hope it hasn't crashed for I'd hate to not read your Saturday letter. I'm writing this one as a surprise for you because I've written one already this morning. I ‘ll send this to the Tel. House I believe. Fool you!

I called Mother Ransome of Pasadena college this morning and perhaps I can get Naomi to come. That would be ideal. I haven't approached Lola yet. I guess I'll let you do that!

The weather is warm and sunny. Really lovely!

How are you? Are you all ready to get on the train? Is your bag packed? Did you say farewell to everyone? Did you apologize for

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leaving a whole week early? A good joke on H & S. I guess I'll have to hunt some more old letters. I'd like to see the ones from Harvard, also the following year at Berkeley.

Have you gone ice skating? I don't see why you work so late at night. You'll kill yourself.

When I went to the Associate dinner the other night I though that we should leave Pasadena. Really these people are pretty awful looking with a few exceptions. Did I tell you about arranging Mrs. Crellin's table? They seemed grateful. Of course they should have a good place.

You'd better go to the train now. I hope this reaches you.

Loves and kisses and hugs and uzzes(?) And tongue touches.

Ava Helen Pauling

P.S. This is my last letter.

Tuesday, 1 ¹⁵

Dearest love: I adore you, little darling. You are my turtle dove. I am writing to you early tonight - I think I shall go home to bed early, because I didn't sleep well last night, and didn't give as good a lecture are usual today, I think. I've been busy today - my lecture, lunch, odd jobs in the afternoon (including making some solutions to grow some crystals), dinner, public speaking. Four boys talked, and then I talked, saying that I thanked them for asking me to stay, and that you were probably coming back with me, and that I was saying goodbye so they wouldn't need to fear a repetition of last year's uncomfortable situation; but I hope that they will decide to have us stay, anyway, so that you will have some- [new line] thing over Sidgwick. I told the boys that they should have more scientists in the house. Then (at 8 ³⁰ ) I came to the

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Lab, when Dr Hickman from Eastman gave a talk - pretty good. Since 10 I've been working.

Last night it was very slippery, and I fell twice on the hill, but I try now to be very careful, and have learned to keep off the slippery spots.

Your nice Saturday letter came. I'd like to hear Peter read and Crellie laugh - and hear you laugh too, as you shall when I get hold of you. I'll bet the children were cute and then Mrs Gates liked them.

I won't send you any more letters that burn - but when I get to you I'll tell you some things that will make your pretty cheeks pink! By the way, Ovid says to the girls "After the joys of Venus, ask your lover for a gift." You ought to remember that - I'd be happy to give you anything you want - and at any time, too.

Boy, its cold here [inserted note above the line]_^, (outside, I mean) with the wind howling and the snow swirling into drifts. I'll be glad to leave - day after tomorrow! Love

Linus

Wednesday 1 ⁰⁵

Dearest little wife:

I love my little girl, and I have a nice surprise for her. Tonight the president of the Telluride House & several of the boys invited both you and me to live in the house in January. What do you think of that? Are you going to write to Sidegwich? I thought that hey would, but I wasn't sure.

I'm cold, and so I'm going home to bed now, although I'd like to stay and get some more work done.

I walked to town - clear to the station - and back to the Lab today, from 1 ³⁰ to 3 ⁰⁰ , carrying 3 bottles of champagne back. I'll bring them in my bag - they wouldn't ship them. I bought a bill fold with a zipper for Liny.

Tonight is my last night alone in the House - three more on the train - then a good rousing chase and I'll catch you.

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I've been interested to note some thing that I'll tell you when I see you (this is to pay you back for your curious experience).

I nearly froze walking (and running) home last night. My teeth began to chatter before I'd gone one hundred yards. The wind goes right through over my nice heavy overcoat.

I talked to some of the older boys in the house at & after dinner tonight about concentrating on their graduate work and not frittering their time away. They were interested, and felt that the Tel. Ass. took too much of their time for social activities.

I like your Sunday letter, which came this morning. I don't fool you, little love. I adore you. You are a perfect girl, and probably the Telluride boys will all get married at once after seeing you in January.

Tell Peter I like Rosie's Beau, & thank him for sending it.

You are seeing the play now. I love you, my sweet.

Your Paddy

Thursday, 9 ¹⁵ .

Dearest sweet Ava Helen:

I'm happy to be on my way home to you. I love you, sweetheart. I think the Telluride boys want you in the house - several of them spoke to me today about it. Kleps, the president, also came in to ask my advice about getting married & moving out of the house next year - I had been talking about the importance of concentrating on work as a graduate student.

Three letters came from you today, including your last special one. I liked them.

I gave a good lecture on the three-electron bond & then said "The next lecture will be Jan. 4 ^th " and burst into a smile that apparently was beatific, since the whole crowd burst out laughing.

The boys had a special tea, with

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port & sherry & cake from the German bake shop. Lauby came, & Hoard & Papish & Pace. Pace took me to the train (station rather - he went back then for dinner). & Jack came, having walked, & then Lynn & Florence, & the three said goodby. Everyone has heard that you may come back & hopes that you do.

I'll have breakfast with Phoebe & Thorfin in the morning.

Schomaker is despondent again. I'll see if I can straighten him out. I wrote another letter to him.

We are approaching Buffalo. I love you, my girl.

Your own

Linus

2 ³⁰ PM, Friday

Dearest sweetheart:

The time is surely passing slowly. Here I am on the train to Pasadena, but still with over two days before I'm with my love! We've just stopped at some little town--Galesburg, Ill. I'm rather cold - it was about 5° above zero in Chicago.

I got off at 63^rd St this morning, & was met by Thorfin. Phoebe gave us bacon & eggs & toast & coffee for breakfast. I talked with Thorfin & told him that the situation at Rochester was rather indefinite still. He said he was glad that Chicago had raised his salary. They are thinking of sending John to Cal Tech or Berkeley. We nearly missed my train. I said several times that we should go, and Thofin said it was too early, but then he decid found that his watch had stopped. I was just ready to say that we must go. We had enough time, though - ten minutes leeway, even though Thorfin had to stop for gasoline.

I made close connections at Buffalo too, our train was late because of the snow. The other train waited - I think it always waits for Pullman passengers.

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I haven't anything to read. I've been planning out the last chapters of the book. I think that we should stay in Ithaca till about Sat. the 29^th, to get the MS in good shape. I've thought of an experiment to do with sulfanilamide, too - will you help me to do it? On the effect of “ on the temperature of denaturation of proteins.

3 ⁴⁰ . I have been reading a paper (MS) of Coryell's. Now we are going by the Mississippi - perhaps only a slough, all frozen over. We are approaching Fort Madison, Iowa. Now we are crossing the river - it is frozen over - 2 or 3" thick!

6 ¹⁵ . I have had dinner now - a good one - shrimp cocktail, pepper pot soup, lamb chops, salad, brie cheese. I've been rather cold all day. I'll get an extra blanket for tonight. I'm happy to think that I'll be with you soon. I love you, dearest girl. I don't think that I'm more unhappy or less unhappy than I was just after you left. I have the same feeling of loneliness. I'm still saving up love for you, but Im about full, because under strain a drop squeezes out occasisonally.

Your own

Pauling

December 23, 1937

Professor W. Mansfield Clark

Department of Physiological Chemistry

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

710 N. Washington Street

Baltimore, Maryland

Dear Professor Clark:

I am very glad to have received your letter about Mr. Thomas Harrison Davies, and I am writing to hire extending an invitation to him to carry on his work here in case that his fellowship is granted. The problem which he mentions regarding the structure of hemoglobin seems to me to be a good one. Dr. Coryell and I are continuing our investigations and I believe that in a year or two we shall know much more about hemoglobin than we do now. Moreover, it is probable that a further attack on protein structure will be made in our laboratory. We have been made a large grant by the Rockefeller Foundation for the development of organic chemistry here, and we are just completing the construction of a new wing of our laboratory, which will provide space for the new work in organic chemistry. Dr. Carl Niemann, who has been working with Bergmann on proteins and is now in London with Harington, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Organic Chemistry, and Dr. A. R. Todd, who is to lecture here during the coming term, may stay permanently.

We also have available funds for fellowships for graduate students in organic chemistry, and we are hoping to build up this side of our work until it ranks with physical chemistry here.

I am looking forward to learning the results of Davies' work with you on oxidation-reduction equilibria of metallo-porphyrin.

With best wishes for a happy New Year, I am

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:jr

December 31, 1937

Dr. Carl Niemann

94 Endsleigh Court

Upper Woburn Place

London, W.C.1, England

I was sorry that you and Mrs. Niemann had left for New York before we arrived.

Last month I talked for some time with Dr. Landsteiner about antibodies and developed a keen interest in them, so that I am glad to learn that you are beginning work in that field.

I do not feel confident to carry on negotiations for a micro-analyst, and I think it would be wise to postpone this until your arrival in Pasadena.

The Crellin laboratory is nearly completed and we plan to begin moving in next mouth. I do not remember what your plans are about arriving in Pasadena. I think that you could begin work profitably at any time during the summer but if you desire, you might postpone arrival until about the middle of September.

Dr. Todd's visit has been postponed until March. We are looking forward to meeting him.

You may proceed to arrange for the appointment of the assistant that you have in mind. If he accepts, let me know and I shall make the formal arrangements.

With best regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling

LP:jr