December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois

The war has come to America and Tom discusses it briefly. This is the first mention of the war since he started writing Zoe. Many of his fraternity brothers are being drafted and one is considering joining the Navy to avoid the Army.

Mon. evening.

December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois, Page 1
December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois, Page 1

Dearest,

I recieved your letter today I had really began to worry. It had been over a week, but I know how busy things have been this last week.

It didn’t take the war long to come to a head. So far it looks like we have got the little the worse of the deal, but I think that will change. The way the draft is going it looks like there will be alot of vacant seats around here after the first semester alot of them here in the house were just granted enough time to finish one semester. My roommate is one of them he’s pretty worried and is just about ready to join the navy.

December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois, Page 2
December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois, Page 2

I am going to meet Steve at 10:00. He has been working down town during the Christmas rush.

Dad is sort of thinking about coming up after me this Fri. If it wasn’t for my Chem lab that afternoon I could leave early.

German is still awful and going worse. (Ich liebe Sie[1]I love you) translate this.

I certainly hope you are home more than 4 days Christmas. If you aren’t there won’t be much use for me to go home.

With love,

Tom

This pen isn’t worth a damn.

December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois
December 16, 1941, Evanston, Illinois

References

References
1 I love you

A Young Man Went Off to War