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By Root 1090 0

these places. It would be a welcome relief. Otherwise our stay here thus far has been pleasant. We have walked through the ruins of the Colosseum, have been to the Borghese Gardens as well as the museum there, also to the baths of Diocletian and Caracalla, as well as numerous other sights. Rome is comparable in certain respects to Paris and London. The Via Veneto is a major boulevard and is your mother’s favorite spot. Recently we chanced to be seated at a café when an American couple inquired if they might share our table as no other tables were available. Naturally we said yes, and were very glad we did so, as they turned out to be Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Dunn of Kansas City! This is indeed a small world, as the saying goes. The Dunns are acquainted with the Montgomerys and the Koeppels, as well as several other couples we know. They were returning from a trip to the Holy Land and had much to say about it (having visited the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, etc.). They say the Jordan River is about the size of our Blue River at home. I was under the impression the Jordan was considerably larger. Your mother and I have discussed the feasibility of altering our itinerary to enable us to see the Holy Land, but have concluded there is insufficient time, as I must be at my office on the sixteenth.

Unfortunately, preparations for war continue on all sides. I regret to inform you of this. It is apparent that “people never learn.” Many of us believed the World War would be a war to end wars, yet this does not appear to have been the case after all. It is disillusioning. Evidence of a forthcoming confrontation cannot be overlooked. No one knows where or when it will commence, but it will. Everyone is saying so. Mr. Dunn says that only in the Holy Land did the threat of another world-wide war appear to be remote. He is of the opinion that certain nomadic sheepherders in their Biblical costume are totally unaware of the existence of Adolph Hitler’s Nazi organization. This is extremely difficult to accept, but Mr. Dunn claims this is so. In any case, I am very glad we have taken our European trip this year instead of postponing it until next as I had considered doing. I do not know what this part of the world will be like next year. Benito Mussolini is a troublemaker. Let us hope America will not become involved.

Your mother has, if I am not mistaken, kept you up to date and will be writing to you again when she feels better. The clerk of our hotel has a cousin in Manhattan. (We have met this sort of thing frequently.)

Not much else of interest. Have visited many museums, fountains, and various other tourist attractions. Consequently, we are a trifle worn down and will be glad to get home. The schedule calls for us to sail from Genoa on the fifth. Both of us are looking forward to the ocean voyage in order to rest and recuperate, although your mother hopes the crossing will be quieter than the eastbound trip. The ocean was unusually rough. Many passengers suffered “mal de mer.”

In brief, we have all but fulfilled a long-standing dream and expect to arrive in New York in approximately two weeks. There we shall see Ruth before catching the train to Chicago, where we are obliged to transfer before continuing to Kansas City. I have never understood the necessity of transferring in Chicago. It is a great inconvenience to travelers. I do not for the life of me know why the railroad people insist on alienating customers.

I enclose a small check for each of you to spend however you choose.

Wishing you both happiness. Trust all is well at home.

Love,

Dad

P.S. I hope you have not neglected the lawn, which requires more water during the summer months. Also, as you know, the Frigidaire has been “on the blink.” Has the repair man attended to it? If he has failed to show up, you should telephone my office and inform Julia of the fact. She has his number and will handle the situation.

121 Intimations

The day after he wrote this letter the Nazis invaded Poland. Two days later he and his wife were aboard a