To Mimi Sutton [Letter 332]

[Page 1]
March 20, 1948

Dear Mimi:

All I can say by way of excuse for taking so long to answer you is: better late than never, and I hope you will forgive me.

As proof that I do mean well, I am mailing you the yellow suede dress, and I hope it will reach you in time for Easter.

The suede dress is for you and the blue suit is for Docky. I am also sending a blouse which I bought and never wore because it is too feminine for me. I thought it would go with the suit for Docky; but since it is so feminine, maybe it would be better for you, so I will let you two decide it. The blue skirt, which I am sending, is a very good hand-knitted one, but it is too short for me now. If you find that it is too short for either of you, maybe it will fit Connie. I am sending the blue bag, gloves and hat which I used to wear with the suit. The hat is quite old, but maybe Docky can use it by having it reblocked.

Frank is sending a bunch of ties. He does not remember which tie it was that David liked. If it is not among the ones he is sending, would you describe what it looked like, and if it is not one of my particular pets, we’ll send it on.

My long silence has been due to uninterrupted work on my novel. It’s going very well, but it’s very difficult, and I am working hard. I have done nothing else since returning to Hollywood, and I have no news about myself, except 150,000 words on paper which, I think, will be news when they are published.

I won’t attempt to describe my ride in the engine now, except to say that it was the most thrilling experience I have ever had. You will read an

[Page 2]
2.

indirect description of it in my novel. I’ll tell you all about it when I see you next, and I’ll show you pictures of me in my railroad outfit. No, there isn’t going to be any magazine stories about it until the book comes out. In fact, it’s confidential for the time being, because the railroad company asked me not to publicize the fact that I road in the engine of the Twentieth Century. They don’t usually permit people to do that.

I was glad to hear that Docky did well in her first stage appearance. I am still concerned about her choice of career though I firmly believe that it’s a choice which she must make for herself. I hope she is doing well now. Let me know what has happened. I am sending all the clothes on to you because I don’t know whether she is still in New York or not.

I enjoyed very much seeing you all in Washington this time. I must say that I thought David and you have had a very good influence on each other. I had the impression that you had become more steady and serious and David had become more lively and imaginative so that it seems to me that you have balanced each other well.

You said in your letter that I have been your “conscience” and that you carry on conversations with me in your own mind. That is something you really must tell me more about. Do let me know what it is that I am saying.

I’ll try not to take so long to answer you next time.

Love to you, David and Docky from your old Aunt and Uncle,