TL: [Winter, 1927]

Spithead, Hamilton,
Bermuda

Dearest Teddy:

Well, we just about think that we are through with the work here when we discover that there is a lot more to do! I suppose it will be years before I have perfect peace again. Of course conditions -- labor conditions -- in Bermuda are rather bad, and it takes about twice as long to do anything as it does anywhere else. The large house is now pretty well in shape, all but the interior painting and decoration. The tennis court is done, and I have been taking some lessons from a pro, and enjoy it very much indeed. I am rather sorry that I did not go in more for athletics when I was younger, as I think I would have been pretty good at them. Gene has a great time playing tennis, in fact I think that the court is a good investment.

I have had a funny experience lately. Of course I do not believe in ghosts, but I swear the two night I had the queerest experience. It seemed I was wide awake, couldn't sleep, when some thing came into the room. I cannot describe it, as it had no form, was more like a force: but I had a terrible feeling of horror, as though it was something evil. it came up close by the bed, and I cannot say that it touched me, as it had no hands or form, but it seemed somehow to come in contact with me, and I was unable to move or speak, thought I would see everything in the room quite clearly. Then, two nights later the same thing happened, I seemed to be in a trance, felt this formless thing, when suddenly a little weazened naked baby appeared and began to nurse! You can imagine how I felt! The poor child seemed to be starving, well I made a final effort and sat up in bed, and it disappeared. Of course the baby part may, probably was, partly dream, but it is all too queer. I never had such an experience before. They say that they found the bones of some murdered people in the cellar of this house, and I am trying to find out if there was a baby among them. The queer part of it was, that though I was in a sort of trance, I was really awake, able to see the room, and Gene all the time. Both nights it happened just before dawn, and after I had been awake for quite some time.

I think of you so much and wonder how you are getting on. did you get your appetite back yet? You must not get discouraged if you have little setbacks, that happens all the time. I do wish when you write that you would tell me just how you are feeling. It won't be long now before spring is here -- and that should make a lot of difference to you. I do hope that next spring you will be able to make the trip here with mother -- don't see why you shouldn't, and I believe I told you once before that it would be good for you here in the spring. Helen de Polo's mother, who has been in bed for two years with t.b. fever all the time, is going to come down this spring.

I got such a nice letter from mother, also one from Bob, and from Cecil. Cecil seems to be doing well with her writing. I have not been able to get much writing done, due, as I said to the fact that the men are still working here, and I have to be attending to something all the time. However, I expect to get something done soon.

All our best love, and be good, and rest!