The Letters—Part III: San Francisco, July 21 - September 16, 1951

Marjorie has breathlessly ditched Doug (pix below!!!) or Sherm, or Who'sIt/WhatsHisNameAgain, and has brushed up against the arm of a short, not-so-good-looking dark-not-lots-of-haired stranger at The Counter, in the offices of Pan American Airways, San Francisco, circus 1951 . . .

July 21

Marjorie to  her sister, Kay Reed—Brasil

Kay, Grandfather, Mum c. 1965

Honey, you'll be crazy about Russ.

He's such fun, and he'll be so good to you. We can have a fine time when you come to see me next winter 'cause he's so entertaining.

I hope Mother & Daddy aren't too upset because I've leaped, as it were, without too long a preliminary, but I'm thoroughly convinced that I'd rather live in a cold water flat in Greenwich Village with Russ than in a summer home on Lake Tahoe with anyone else, or for that matter anywhere with him under any conditions would be better than anywhere else with anyone else.

Life will never be dull or lack sparkle or security or happiness.

I told him last night that I had written home about his asking me to marry him and he said, “I'm delighted that you have, because now your whole world knows if your family knows. I'm delighted, but I'm scared, because I know that as much as they love you & you love them, no one even though he might be a prince among men could ever really deserve you in their eyes, or in mine for that matter.”

He's so wonderful, Kay, you can't imagine, really.

July 22

Marjorie to her parents, Louise & John Reed—Brazil

I'm having more than half a notion to go to Mexico City. Tell me exactly when you'll be there again, and maybe I'll be there too. Russ talked to Mr. Robb, and they'll even give me a pass from Los Angeles to Mexico City. “In fact,” said Mr. Robinson, “Ask them for a private plane—you'll get it—because everyone in the office is mad about you, the belle of the office.” . . . .

Early to bed tonite because I definitely did not get enough sleep last nite. Russ had to get his kitty from the vet today and he felt he shouldn't leave her because she's been sick and just might have kittens anytime now. The first time I've ever been stood up for a cat!

We had such a fine time last night, much to our mutual surprise. I wasn't too keen about it, but Lillian did have a nice party and all the people who were there I like very much. We had very strong Manhattans before dinner, and after dinner we rolled back the rugs and danced. Having never danced with Russ before I thoroughly enjoyed it, because he is a good dancer. I imagined he would be, but we just never had danced.

We left, as did everyone, about 12:30, and as we walked down to Market we decided to have a cup of coffee.

We had two cups, and we sat in this brilliantly illuminated coffee shop for two and a half solid hours talking. Just couldn't stop. You'd think we never saw each other, and we have such nice conversations.

I wish I could keep all the things Russ says to me and listen whenever he's not with me. He said yesterday he'd like to talk a letter to you, because you could tell from the tone of his voice that what I tell you he says sometime is fooling, and sometimes deadly serious.

I asked Mrs. Roberts tonite what she thought of him, and she said he seemed like a fine young man, liked him better that anyone else I'd brought home. I don't even hope you'll like him, because I just feel that you will.

July 23

Monday—it's been a good day, 'cause I've really felt like a million dollars. Went to bed at 6:30 last nite and slept around the clock. And then at five I looked up to see Russ walk in the door, so I felt like two million dollars. He didn't work today so I really didn't count on his coming, although I knew he would. We had dinner and went to see "Cyrano de Bergerac.”

I had seen it, but seeing it with Russ was as though I never had seen it before.

It was wonderful. It had seemed like such a long time since I saw him, we had such fun catching up . . . .

I'm getting so tuned up about meeting you in Mexico, I can hardly stand it. It would be only about $40 altogether for me to come, and Russ said there was no sense in taking less than a week if I was going. Never has anyone, except my very own family, made me feel so loved, and important, and warm and so completely protected and safe and wanted. He makes me laugh, and he makes me happy, and he loves me.

This time—or shall I say "Now, at last, I know what I want," and it's all mine. I can't think or even in my wildest dreams imagine how or why it has happened, or how we knew it did—but I'm so sure. And besides, he has a mixmaster and an automatic coffee pot, and I could never in the world marry a man who didn't have a mixmaster!

July 24

What a wonderful day today has been! I've been particularly beside myself all day long, and it shows no signs of letting up within the next few. I went to work, and since Til was approachable this a.m. I asked him about Mexico City. Why not, says he—go when you want to go & come back the same, so of course I'll see you in Mexico City. I can hardly contain myself . . . .

Russ came home with me tonite, and while he & Mrs. Roberts listened to the baseball game (Boston beat Chicago) I sat in a chair, after having taken a bath, and watched the utter delight on their faces. Listening to the game was a test as to whether I am a jinx to the Boston Red Sox. They won 8-3, so I'm good luck & nothing will do but I listen to them all.

My cross to bear. If I'm good he may even give me a season pass, so I can go and then tell him all about it in the evenings when he gets horne. We had such fun—listened to records and made waffles (I made waffles, and they ate them—they were impressed, too).

Did the dishes and then we sat here in the living room for a couple hours talking dreams, and it was so wonderful, because every word we say seems so important, even though it's just "hello."

You know I've always sort of been afraid of getting married—the idea of it—or the fact of it—but I'm not in the least bit scared now. There isn't anything in the world that could be more natural than for me to marry Russ Robinson. I'm so serious when I say that, that it almost sounds like a line, but it's so.

July 30
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

Yesterday was a slow Sunday. I hadn't very much to do. In fact business has been sort of slacking off of late. It's nice for a change not to have to look up and see half a dozen passengers that you can't possibly get to for a while—makes one feel so helpless—and of course they're not always the most patient of people.

I love them though, every last passenger we have. They're such nice people for the most part, and when they aren't, it's fascinating to try to make them be that way. . . .

I can hardly believe it's the 30th of July already. What happened to July? The other 29 days? They truly have changed my young life, but they went by so quickly it was hard to know where one ended and the next began.

In just two weeks now Mother & Kay & I will all be in Mexico City. . . .

Daddy dear, I know you and Mother are wondering and a little worried about my marrying a man about whom you know nothing and one whom I likewise have known for not too long a time.

Doug & Marjorie (undated)

Remember how many times you've told me that the man was all right (in several different cases that was) but you couldn't see him making me happy in any sense of the word.

Truly, Daddy, Russ is the man to make me happy. He's so never failingly thoughtful of me, and good to me, and he loves me more than I've ever expected anyone could. I have no reservations in that fact—I know it's so—and it makes me so happy.

I truly can never remember being more sure in fact I never have been. It's such a natural thing for me to want to marry him—no qualms—and you know I've always been beset by such qualms. Not only do I love Russ, I respect him, and I like him, and we find so many things to enjoy together—people, books, music—or just being together, because he is such an interesting person, and he's all the more wonderful to me because I'm genuinely interested in my very own family.

I get as much kick out of his interest in you as I do in my own waiting with bated breath for each letter as to what you're doing. And he's a sincere person, as well as being charming. So far as his future is concerned, I would never worry for a minute. What he truly wants to do, and for what he has saved his money for a couple of years, is to break into radio. He has radio experience, and now wants to go back to it again. So, he plans to take me and go to New York a year from this November.

Those are only tentative plans, but they should be interesting. He's by far the most intelligent man I've ever met, and strong minded too. In short, Daddy, I've found the man who I know will make me happy for the rest of my life, and I'm very sure.

We think it's sort of silly to wait 'til April when there's really no good reason, so in November his vacation comes up, and we'll take that for a trip to Guatemala and Merida.

I'm so happy, and it's the kind that leaves me free to be happy about everything all the time, not just some things part of the time . . . .

August 7
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

I got a little setback yesterday. Instead of going to Mexico this Sunday nite I'll have to wait until Wednesday. One person has been fired from the Counter, and Til, the supervisor, left on a 3 month military school leave, so they're short at the Counter, and really only because of Russ's intervention or figuring are they letting me go at all. Mr. Robb was very nice about it all. He said they wanted to let me go, but it's the peak season still. Anyway, I'll go on Wednesday nite and be there 'til Sunday, which is fine really. . . .

August—how can it be? D'you know just five more days & I'll have been with PAA five months. Certainly have been wonderful months. How I do love the city, my job, and my future. It's so wonderful, Daddy. I can or could never in the world express it to you.

August 11
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

I called United for my space down the other nite. No trouble going down, but it's wait list coming back.

How could you put it off so long says Mr. Robinson. After all you've always known when you were coming back.

So he says he has about one favor a year due him from United and he'll keep after them until I can be confirmed otherwise I'll get back into San Francisco about 4:20 & since he's determined to meet me he doesn't think he can wait that long.

Such a guy. . . .

I'm completely happy. Daddy, I'm so happy I can hardly stand it, and yet I know it will keep growing and growing. It's such a happy happiness, not a bitter-sweeet kind that I've always known before. It's lovely to wake up in the morning, and of course I love my job too. So you have the most satisfied and happy daughter you've ever known.

Aren't you glad?

August 16
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

On CMA en route to MEX

Marjorie, wearing Dougie's hat

At last I'm almost to Mexico City to see Mother and Kay. I guess I didn't believe I'd ever get started because I've been quite calm about the whole affair. Now we're not quite an hour out of the City of Mexico!! It's been the most beautiful nite to fly, like the one on which we flew to Rio, remember?—full moon—sky full of stars.

Now in the East I can see the red dawn breaking.

I really had quite a time in L.A. last night. The flight I took down from S.F. was 40 minutes late, leaving me with one half hour to catch the plane for Mexico, and the buildings must be a block or more apart. I had to make 3 trips in order to get my bag unchecked from United, and myself checked in with PAA.

I was really going for half an hour—scared to death I'd either miss my plane or not get my luggage. Never entered my head to get a porter to do it for me of course . . .

Tuesday night Henrietta asked me to bring Russ home to dinner to meet the Dr. (she had already spent a couple of evenings with us at home, or vice versa—she approves heartily and wanted to have the Dr. meet Russ too).

She had the nicest dinner and the most pleasant evening. I was proud of Russ and so glad because they like him very much. You will, too, Daddy.

He's a fine young man, and he's so smart. And, Daddy, d'you know, if my whole day has gone wrong and I'm tired and unhappy and upset and blue, the minute I even see him everything seems right againthe whole world straightens out, and I'm so happy. It's always such a relief if I'm upset or have had a disagreeable experience to know that Russ can set it right side up in just a few minutes.

Do you think that's pretty important? And he loves me. Never for a moment have I to wonder if he does, and he spoils me terribly.

We can't be more than twenty minutes away—so I'll lipstick myself and hope Mother will be pleased with what she sees stepping off the plane. Hope, hope hope she's there!

August 26
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

Now shall I tell you about Mexico?

I arrived right on time, which is something out of the ordinary. I thought Mother wasn't there because I couldn't see her, but as I emerged from Immigration into Customs I saw Kay's happy little face, and soon as they went through my bags, found Mother.

She had brought my fur coat. How lovely it is, Daddy. I'm so thrilled with it I can hardly stand it. It is the most beautiful and wonderful coat I've ever seen. And my ring—I just look at it and I bubble over it. It's by far the most beautiful stone and setting I have ever seen. Of course you know—we shopped—and shopped and shopped. We managed to do a little sightseeing—to the fair at Taluca—and I drove them out to the pyramids.

I'm so glad they got to Xochimilco . . . .

I left on time from Mexico, big surprise, and when I arrived in L.A. I found Russ had managed somehow to get me on the flight that made a pretty good connection. He was at the airport to meet me, and we went home from there. I planted him on the davenport, and we sat up all night long while I unpacked. The living room looked like a bazaar, said Mr. Robinson.

lt was so much fun . . . .

Tuesday nite we went to the show: “A Place in the Sun," based on Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy." It was an excellent show. Russ had .already seen it and wanted me to see it. Friday nite we went out to some friends of Russ, who live in Westlake.

The fellow lived with Russ in New York, and they came West together in '45. I liked them very much, nice people. Last night we went over to Marin County and had dinner with Pat and John Kockus. Pat is my friend here in the office. They have a cute apartment in Corte Madera, and we had such fun. Stayed overnight with them and came back to the city this morning so I could go to work.

September 1
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

For Saturdays this has been a rather busy day. There have been really only two of us on the Counter, so true to form I finally got out to lunch about 20 'til 3.

Seems I can't ever break away. Simply can't just say to a passenger: there will be someone with you in a minute when I know it will be at least 15, and when I'm really not hungry. . . .

(Sept. 2) Sunday again—like a morgue around here, the office that is—everyone but me is downstairs. It's warm down there and cozy because that's where everyone is, but I'm up here with my radio and a small desk light. I have exactly two tickets to make up, which will take perhaps half an hour, and then I'm through. They're so well caught up downstairs that anything they let me do only takes work away from them.

So Sunday is merely a day which I spend at the office doing things I would be doing at home. It's absurd for me or anyone who has my job to work on Sundays, but so far management has been particularly adamant about changing, not particularly because it's me, but just that they needed someone here about three months ago and don't anymore, but haven't found it out yet! . . . .

On Tuesday, instead of working or not working, they're having me go over to the Veteran's Memorial, where all the offices of the nations here for the Japanese Peace Conference are, to spend from eight to five taking reservations and giving out information. Don't you think that will be exciting? I'll see all the big & little men who are here for the Conference. I'm quite pleased that they asked me to do it. I have my litle name plate for the Counter now and my cards. I'll enclose a card for you. They're quite impressive, and it's such fun, except changing my name will make them sort of obsolete!!

Do you think Marjorie Robinson is a nice name? Daddy, if I get any happier I'll explode, fly into little pieces.

Never have I so consistently felt so good, so happy, so pleased with life. I'm completely beside myself . . . .

Our flite 583 to Mexico City splashed into the swamp yesterday about four miles from the airport. No one was hurt, just shaken up a little bit. Instead of being like a big bird, it made like a duck!! I was convinced we were about to do the same thing when I went in, because the whole approach is over the lake that used to be the Valley of Mexico!

September 9
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

Daddy, when are you coming? Riley says about the 10th. Is that so? Would the 14th of October or thereabouts be a safe bet for setting the date?

Think we'll probably wait with the vacation until later anyway, and just drive down to Carmel. Mother says she's finding me a car in Indiana. She's always wanted a yellow car, so she's getting us one. . . .

Daddy, I want to give Russ a watch for a wedding present. D'you s'pose you could find one that was good down there? Would you see if you couldn't. Truly want to get it for him. He needs one.

September 11
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

If you're going to arrive here the 15th, then I think we'll plan on being married the 20th. How would that be with you? Thought perhaps we'd be married in the morning, have a wedding breakfast, and then drive to Carmel for the next few days.

We can't get away for any length of time then, so we'll put off the trip to Mexico until later in the winter. Maybe even decide, if it's at all possible, to fly to Rio for Carnival. We were talking about it the other night. . . .

We're (Russ & I) going to take Riley to dinner & the show tonite. Russ came out Sunday night and the two of them got along so well that I had to take a nap in self-defense. They played catch out in front, and then spent the evening building things with the erector set. . . .

Tomorrow Pat & I are going to look for an apartment. We've had several calls about apartments, but they've all been not rightly situated. So Pat & I will go in search! Also thought we'd stop by Grace Cathedral and ask questions about how we'll get married.

September 14
Marjorie to her mother and sister, Louise and Kay Reed—Chicago

We have been jaunting around looking for an apartment. My feet, needless to say, are burning from toiling up the hills and sliding down. We found one for of all things $48.—4 rooms unfurnished.

Sort of Bohemian, but in a nice neighborhood and close enough that we can walk to work. I was rather fascinated—nice windows, a little balcony even, and I liked the kitchen. It was compact. If only the fellow will smile upon us for it. Other prospects, you know. It has possibilities I do believe. Now that we're convinced, I hope he will be too. He's sort of extremely German.

I imagine he's inflexible, but he did smile at us. As well as having four rooms & only $48 it's a nice location on the slope of Nob Hill, and how I've always wanted to live on Nob Hill in San Francisco. And I suppose I always wanted to because of Russ. Knew I'd find him one day you know.

Have felt so good all day today. Sort of an easily amused day. I've been highly entertained by most everything. Spent about an hour this noon sitting in Mr. Robinson's office thinking up a list of people to whom announcements should go. He was so entertaining I dissolved into laughter & can't really say I accomplished much.

Henrietta & Riley came in to call & Russ showed them around the office. Henrietta was, of course, highly pleased. . . .

Do you know it seems almost impossible you've not met Russ? Do you feel that way sort of? Can't feel that you'll be strangers in any sense of the word, because you're the kind of people you are.

September 16
Marjorie to her mother, Louise Reed—Chicago

We have it, our apartment, $62 a month, in the place I told you about the other night, only it's a different apartment.

This one is, hold your breath, five rooms, but the fifth room is a small one, use it for storage, maybe.

Russ called me last night after I got home, and he was so excited he could hardly talk. "Our home, our first address, our first home," and on he went, so pleased he bubbled over and over. The gentleman had called him. . . .

Hope you'll come as soon as you can. We can move in the 20th if we care to. Tomorrow we'll deposit money on it, a month's rent, that is. I had quite a nice talk with the Doctor last night. He had answered the phone when Russ called me, so I had to go tell him all about it.

He & Henrietta sort of feel as though I'm an adopted daughter, so of course their opinion of Russ matters a great deal to me.

The Doctor said he felt from what he had seen of Russ that he would make me very happy and interested in life always. A fine, personable young man. I enjoyed the conversation immensely. . . .

P.S. Russ has made our reservations in Carmel for four days—a cottage we'll have all to ourselves. How exciting can things get? Mother, I'm so happy, I'm completely beside myself!!

September 16
Marjorie to her father, John Reed—Brazil

This has been quite a week, all sorts of exciting things have happened, all bringing the wheels of progress toward marrying Russ closer and closer to the destination.

The day I wrote to you, Pat and I did go looking and looking, but we found nothing, we just looked. No one puts out for rent signs, so our search was quite fruitless. However, that did turn out to be quite a day, because I went up to Grace Cathedral and "made a reservation" for the Chapel on the 20th of October at 11 a.m., Saturday morning.

Then that evening Mother called about the car, and I trust by now she's bought it. I sent her $2,000 the other day. She thought that would be more than enough to get a two-door Commander, yellow or blue.

Yesterday we found an apartment, 5 rooms unfurnished, for $62 a month, which is really fantastic. We've seen some very small ones for $75 & $80. We can afford a garage even!! It's in a nice location up on Nob Hill almost—Washington and Taylor. Cable car just picks us up and deposits us right there.

It's just 10 blocks from the office, easy walking distance. It's light, too, and has a little balcony on the front. Lots of room, that's for sure, more than we need I suppose but it will be fun.

But we'll have room for people to come see us, and I hope it won't be too hard to keep clean!!! A nice neighborhood and the landlord is quite a character—German—and quite the Prussian type.

He'll make good story telling. . . .

It's just five weeks from tomorrow that you corne and five weeks from last Saturday that I'll be Mrs. Russell Robinson. Are you glad, Daddy?

I had quite a chat with the Doctor last night about Russ. The Doctor thinks very highly of Russ, a fine, personable young man who he expects will make me very happy.

to be continued . . . 

N.B. Please leave comments below! (must have a Google account)

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