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Sisterly concern
119 Bleddyn Road
Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Miss Mary Catherine O'Farrell '39
204 Safford Hall
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, Massachusetts
February 12, 1939
Dear Mary Kate,
I'm sorry I had to end our conversation so abruptly last night. Little Sarah was particularly fussy, and John couldn't seem to soothe her.
I'm just as concerned as you are about Mike. He never answers the phone at his apartment, no matter what time I call. He's even worse about replying to a card or a letter; two or three weeks after I write to him, he'll jot a few words on a card about being busy and send it on its way.
He is particularly evasive whenever I try to talk to him about his new girlfriend. He told me "Gisele" is an actress. When I asked him if I might have seen one of her films, he couldn't name a single movie in which she has appeared. I naturally asked him if she was a stage actress instead, and his reply was "Well, not exactly." I have a feeling "Gisele" is nothing but a showgirl who would like very much to be an actress.
Whatever "Gisele" may be, I don't think she's very good for Mike at all. He's spending a tremendous amount of time in New York, in the company of "Gisele's" show business pals. A fellow John knows from our country club was in New York two weeks ago with his wife, celebrating their anniversary, and they saw Mike in a nightclub. The man recognized Mike from the newspaper and approached him for an autograph. Mike, being Mike, was perfectly charming and gracious, but he apparently had a very hard time standing up straight.
I have a feeling that a lot of Mike's visits to New York resemble this one, where he travels with "Gisele" and her clique to one night club to another, meeting plenty of people who are more than happy to buy a famous athlete a drink.
I wish there were some way to speak to Mike about this. I wonder how much Dad knows about the situation; for Dad, the matter is professional as well as personal! Do you think Nile would feel comfortable talking about such a subject with Mike? I know Mike thinks highly of Nile and respects his opinions greatly.
Speaking of Nile, I'm glad to hear that the two of you are getting along so nicely. It must be difficult, with him in Iowa and you in Massachusetts, but from what you told me last night, Nile is filling your mailbox with plenty of letters on a regular basis! I hope you'll feel comfortable inviting him to visit sometime soon, and that I'll get a chance to meet him. He sounds like a wonderful fellow, Sis.
I need to run a few errands this afternoon, so I'll close this letter so I can post it while I'm out. John sends his love, and so does Sarah. Please send mine to Johnny and Bill, and save lots for yourself.
And don't study too hard!
With love,
Your "big sis,"
Beth
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