Thursday, 14 September,
11:00 PM
Dearest Eleanor,
Had liberty
today and just got in. First I stopped
at a dental supply to get some teeth for a bridge I'm making. Then Hansen and I had a couple of drinks and
tried to do some shopping, but with no results.
I saw a cute house coat in a print for Linda but I wanted to get Norma
one to match and they didn't have one.
I'll keep on looking until I find something in both sizes.
Do you
remember the dining car steward on the Challenger when we went east? A jolly
Irishman. Always kidding. Well we sat
down for a drink and there was this civilian sitting there and kidding
around. We got to talking about the
states and our home towns and all the time his face looked familiar. When he mentioned being on the train I knew
immediately where I had seen him before.
Anyway he told us about a place to go for a drink and a bite to
eat. We had a hard time finding it, but
it was really worthwhile. A beautiful
home with gorgeous grounds was my first impression. Umbrella tables and chairs were set out on
the lawn and then there was a pagoda-like structure with more tables in
that. Besides this structure was a large
pool just seething with fish of different varieties that I don't know. But there were goldfish more than 12 inches
long. We threw bread on the water and
the fish practically jumped out of the water to get it. After spending a pleasant few hours there,
Ambie and I returned to the ship.
You've
probably gathered by now that Ambie and I are pretty friendly. Well, we are and we make all our liberties
together. He is a Swede, about 31,
married with a daughter of six. He is
one heck of a lot of fun. Good night
dear, I'll finish in the morning.
Friday 8:15 AM
Good morning darling,
Did you sleep well?
At breakfast,
Ambie and I were telling the boys about the place we found and they all laughed
at us. You see Ambie is a
"Baron Munchhausen" and they think he dreamed this
one up to. However we'll show them.
This being
the 15th, I drew my semi-monthly pay and am wondering what to spend it on. Since I left the states, money doesn't mean
anything to me anymore. I've got it and
feel like spending it, after all that's what it's for. You mentioned a wristwatch. What kind would you like? I'd like to get you
one for your birthday. No use waiting
until after the war.
Got another
note from Libby and one from Earl Bubar about Past President's Night at the B'nai
B'rith. I guess I'll have to write to
the lodge now even if I don't feel like it.
In a few days now, Linda and Norma should be receiving their little
surprise. I hope they like it.
Sweetheart,
here I've raved for three pages and said very little but nonsense. Do you remember the Colonial Mansion we
stopped at in Upper New York with the twin double beds and I had a cold? After the war, after Chicago, on our way to
Philadelphia let's stop there. I won't
have a cold this time.
How is
school? How did Linda like going back
again? Does Norma fuss when Linda goes
or does she understand? It's nine
o'clock and I've a patient waiting. So
darling, goodbye until later. I love you
so.
Your husband
Gil
Lt. (j.g.) G. Steingart
U.S.S. OcelotF.P.O. San Francisco
