The calligrapher's daughter_ a novel - Eugenia Kim [137]
With blessings and the love of Christ,
Calvin
November 29, 1934
Richmond, Virginia
My Dearest Wife,
Just this morning your letter of September 13 arrived, forwarded to me by my brother, and how glad I was to receive news of you and my parents. I am pleased to hear you are well and that your constitution is strong. I praise God that you have taken this turn of events as an opportunity to examine His presence in your heart. I commend your industrious teaching position and hope that your work in the mission is rewarding. I cannot thank you enough for the care you deliver to my mother, and give thanks that you have adjusted to their plain life, and with generosity.
This is the American holiday of Thanks Giving and the campus is closed. I am staying with the dean of student affairs’ family during the break, learning how to cook and clean American style. I know you will find this amusing, but Dean Howe believes I can become what is known as a Houseboy, since I am in sore need of employment. As it is, I must shamefully rely on the seminary for pocket money. Luckily the cafeteria has an abundance of good food and I have a ticket that allows me three hearty meals a day. A single trip down the steam table line, where cafeteria workers serve you all manner of hot food, is enough to grasp the wealth of this country. My fellow students take it all for granted, and I am beginning now to become less tongue-tied about choosing country ham or fried chicken. It is still warm here. They say it snows hardly at all.
A curious thing occurred earlier this week when we had a class picnic out in a field. Excuse me for mentioning it, but when I found the latrines, I saw signs posted for “Colored” and “White.” I headed toward the door marked “Colored,” but my classmates pulled me from that entrance, saying, “Cal, you are not supposed to go in there. That is only for Negroes.” I protested that I was colored and that no one would accept me as White. They said, “Yes, you are. You’re very well accepted as White among us.” And so, though I’d read about such things, this was the first time I understood the special connotation of “Colored.” There are no Negroes at the seminary and scant few to be seen in town. I am told they live in their own section of the city. One day soon, I will visit that area. They tell me that Negroes are mostly Baptists, and of a particular variety called Southern Baptist. I must learn why.
I have much to catch up on in my studies. I may be sufficiently versed in the classics, but that means nothing here. I have tended to the schoolwork as never before, and when I grow weary of thumbing through my dictionary and am discouraged by the number of books before me, I remember my wife’s situation and then can easily apply myself with diligence.
While I am saddened that it is not possible at present for you to journey overseas because I trust that God will see us reunited, and that soon you will complete your education despite .
You are always in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Yours in Christ
Sunday, January 13, 1935
Gaeseong
Daughter,
It is odd to write to you at your school, but since you insist, I continue to do so. I hope you do not keep secrets from your inlaws. We received the New Year’s money for Dongsaeng, and while he is grateful for it, you must give all your earnings to your in-laws. It is not proper otherwise. His school is not expensive, so do not worry about him. You say your father-in-law returns an allowance to you, but instead of sending it to Dongsaeng, give it to his church if you have no need for it. Do not worry, we manage fine. Sadly, there is no news to report from Kira. She is thankful that you ask after her.
Your father’s health has greatly improved.