Letter #19

Letter #19 Bountiful, Utah
May 31, 1918

Dearest Henry,

Yes, I am writing again tonight. I received your letter of the 27th and 29th today. Say, but they made me feel better. I had a phone call just as I received them, and I couldn't for the life of me remember all Sister Howard said, as I was thinking of my letters. You said they put life into you. Well, Henry, they are my most substantial food. So, stop them and you won't have much of a girl. Henry, dear, if you just send me one letter a week, I'll croak, using the slang word, for I don't know whether I could make a week pass over me or not. I surely will try, love, and fill your request as to getting a letter there on Sunday, that's why I'm writing tonight. For you may get my letter of today Saturday night. It surely makes me wonder how I'm going to pass the time if I don't get one until Monday or Tuesday. Talk about your being selfish, I'm worse than that. I could read messages all day without tiring.

Hazel wouldn't let me read her letter from you, but I stood at the dining room door, ease-dropping, while she read part of it.

I have been in a discussion on love, and a girl's obligation to a war fellow, down to Mary Janie's. Zada said a girl ought to go with another fellow once in a while, even if she were engaged. She said she knew no matter whom the fellow is, that he would pay some attention to another girl. I told her it was just the way he looked at her. It that your view of it? Do you believe people should be so fickle, and that they are? Zada was saying that Josie Earl was to be married on the 12th of June to a Bowen fellow.

Mabel phoned me today. I told her I thought she had forgotten me. She said school for "U" was out today. So Thelma was going home the first part of next week. She said they were having a fly time while she was here. She said they were down to Jack's Wednesday night to supper. Last night they were at Lagoon. She said there was a large crowd, but all strangers. Tonight they are going to a farewell for Myrtle Butler, sister to Corine. She leaves in the morning for France as a Red Cross Nurse. Mabel said Ralph Streeper said Viola and Jay were at Lagoon, but Mabel didn't see them. Zada said she did. I guess you'll think I'm blue, Henry dear, when I tell you what the kids are doing. I feel just fine. Our time is coming, and we'll be all the more sweet on account of this taste of the bitter. I do not envy them at all, but I'm glad I'm just Violet. Oh, yes, Mabel congratulated me. She said she heard my ring was a beauty. I told her I'd guess she would be next - as all Holbrooks got married young. She's not going to school, or I don't think she is. I asked her if she had heard from you, but she said no. Have you written yet?

Well, Henry dear, I'm glad your other girl has not forgotten you. It makes it nicer to get two love letters in place of one. Ha! Ha! Now, don't take this seriously, will you? The kids have not forgotten you, but you know how we did with Tab? Well, it's just the same.

We received a letter from Mary and Irvin today. Have they written to you, yet? Delores has written you. They have a new calf. One of their cows was found dead Monday morning. It surely is too bad. They expect the well drivers soon. Well, if they have written, this news will be stale, so pardon it.

I cut two rows of asparagus today. Don't you think I'm doing fine? Well, Henry, love, it is eleven o'clock and Mama says I must come to bed. So, good night until morning. XXX

Well, good morning. I'm up and have done half a day's work. I've hoed some flowers, made two beds, swept a room, dusted three, and have eaten my breakfast. Fine, don't you thing? I bet you can't beat it. Ha! Ha! We have all the Saturday work done, except scrubbing, cleaning the windows, etc., or in other words, except finishing. We expect to get through sometime.

Well, dear, today is the first of June. It is pretty out this morning, but kind of cold. I was telling Mama the other day, I dreaded the 15th of the month all winter, for you got your questionnaire on the 15th and you left on the 15th. (Darn that Clinton black cat! Ha!) I was telling Mama I guess that I'd have to get married and die on the 15th, it's so prominent. Now, don't take this dying business to heart, as they couldn't kill me with anything, for I wouldn't let them.

I am very, very sorry, love, that you are none too warm. It just makes me want to donate all of my blankets to you. Are you allowed to have any more than they give you? If there is anything I can do to help you, please, please let me know.

You ask about your prayers, dear. I should say the sincerity and the spirit counts for everything in that, and so I know yours will reach your Maker. Circumstances alter cases and I think you are wise not to make them public in your society, for they are the most sacred things to us, are they not? Just as long as we never neglect them, we will be all right.
The caterpillars are coming again this year. Not the large yellow ones as yet, but these little black ones. They are quite thick. I found them on my dress the other day, but it hadn't hurt me.

I'm glad you feel as you do about that ‘last night’. I asked you what transpired that last night, but it surely made me feel better, and I didn't know whether I was harming you or not.

You know sometimes I feel so far-distant from you when I think of you living a life which I know nothing about. How I wish I were nearer so I would know something of your life and that mine would be a part of it. When your letters come, bringing your love, I feel as if I could turn the world over and that I am very near you. Well, love, you have the best part of me anyway with you, and shall have it always unless you should cease to care for it, and I don't think that will happen.

Mary Jane said she was glad she didn't have to write letters, especially "to a man." Thank God I can write. Well, I guess must close by sending an ocean overflowing with love.

As ever, your sweetheart XXX

Violet

P.S. You'll expect this, XXX even if it is daytime, won't you?