Mr. Bridge_ A Novel - Evan S. Connell [99]
104 Letter
Dearest Ruth:
Your mother and I are planning a short vacation in Europe. I had hoped it might be a lengthy trip insofar as there are many famous cities we both would like to see, but the pressures of this office apparently will not let up. If anything, they grow worse from year to year. Consequently, we expect to be away from Kansas City approximately five weeks (six weeks if I find that I am able to arrange my schedule accordingly). We arrive in New York by train—as your mother does not like to fly—on or about the sixth of August. I will let you know the exact date as soon as the travel agent has confirmed our various European hotel reservations. We expect to spend two days in Manhattan, and hope you will have some time for us. This trip is partly a vacation for myself, but it is also a fulfillment of a commitment I made to your mother many years ago. I promised her that one day we would visit Europe. She does not yet know about this trip. I am saving it as a surprise and intend to give her the news on her birthday, hence I sincerely hope you will not mention this (or allude to it in any form) when you write to her.
The family is in good health as usual. I am very grateful for this. Except for the usual childhood illnesses and the occasion when Douglas sprained his ankles jumping off the garage roof we have escaped serious injury and sickness. Few families are so fortunate. Let us hope our luck continues to hold. (Julia, too, remains in good health. What I would do without her I do not know.) Your sister Carolyn we have seen very little of this summer as she evidently prefers to spend as much time as possible on the golf course. The club professional repeatedly states she “has the makings of a champion”—but I am positive your mother has written you about this. We shall wait and see. Your brother is greatly relieved to have the braces off his teeth once and for all.
Is there anything you need or want? I do not, of course, know how the money is holding out. I trust you are not spending the sum that I put into the bank for you recklessly. Money does not grow on trees. I worked very hard for many years to acquire what I have. Buy whatever you need and enjoy yourself, but remember there is much more to a successful life than playing around and indulging various fancies to no constructive purpose. My condition remains—you shall expect no more money from me as long as you remain in New York (except in case of emergency). If you enjoy living there, as you seem to, I sincerely hope you will prove capable of supporting yourself. Therefore you should strive for advancement and not squander your salary. If so, you will regret it. But as I say, if you should abruptly fall ill or some other emergency should arise, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. After all, that is what fathers are for.
A number of young men have telephoned the house to ask your whereabouts. Your mother is taking care of the situation. Neither of us is in favor of giving out your address unless we know the person, or unless you specifically request us to do so. Now that you are no longer a child but are “on your own” in one of the world’s largest cities you should take care. I am sure you are aware that carrying on with strangers can prove perilous. You will discover that old friends are best (something I learned after much heartache).
I doubt if I have much news to interest you. One of the men with whom I have lunch at the Muehlebach, Dr. Alexis Sauer, who I know you remember, recently returned from a flying visit to the Orient and India with his second