Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: B, 1943-1944. A-71, folder 274. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

July 12, 44

Dear {Doctor} Van Waters:

I was so pleased to receive your letter and I thought I would wait to answer it until I really have something to tell you. I have now got two things to tell you and ask you if I have done right.

The first is about the baby. You know, as Miss Kelley had probably told you, that kind an lovely as the Bannick's are, we are pretty crowded. You see there are only 4 rooms and there are 4 adults and 1 child. So I knew that regardless of what decision I made about the baby, I could not bring it home from the hospital with me. So I have made arrangements at the {New England} Home for Little Wanderers to take it from the hosp. to a boarding home. It will cost $6 a week to board it. It will remain there until I am on my feet again and can either sign the adoption papers or make arrangements to have it with me. You have, or will soon hear from them regarding me as I had to tell them all.

{Doctor} [Vash?] has been trying to find a place where I may have a home delivery

as that would be best under the circumstances as I would have no Hosp. or Doctors bills to pay upon recovery, but so far it has been unsuccessful. So he will have to turn me over to the clinic at St. Luke's Hosp. and Mr. + Mrs. Bannick will pay the bills until I can repay them. It will be about $45.-$50. depending on the amt. of medication.

The other thing I wanted you to know is this. Last Sat. A.M. I got a telegram from my mother to come home right away, as my brother was home on furlough. I realized I could not stall her off any longer for she would know something was wrong for I would come to see him if I had to crawl. So I sent her a long letter Special delivery Sat. P.M. telling her briefly all about it. In ending I said that if I did not hear from her by Wed today - that I would assume she had decided to have nothing further to do with me and had thought it

[12 July 1944] -2-

is best to forget me. I have not heard from her so I guess my last bridge has been crossed. Please tell me is I have done right in both these matters.

I have been rather ill the last few days but I think it is mainly from the terrific heat. Has Framingham been very warm? Has Mr. Sturgis gone yet - I would like to hear from him so much. You could tell him all about it so much easier than I could write it to him.

I hear from Betty all the time. She is a fine girl and a great comfort to me. I know how proud you must be of her. Once you were proud of me, too. But I have spoiled all that. I don't know whether I am just no good or too easy going.

To get away from my

troubles for a while, I wonder if you would tell me what to do about our little kitten. She is very cute and smart and well trained but she is eaten alive with fleas. I have got some Pulvex flea powder and do her up faithfully, but they keep right on coming. Is it the hot, humid weather that breeds them? She only had 2-3 at first.

I must close now as it is lunch time. Please write to me soon if you are not too busy. I love to get letters from you.

Sincerely, Barbara

[EMK?] Barbara Brown File

M.V.W. [ans?]

July 12, 1944

Dear Miss Kelley:

I am sorry I took so long to write to you, but I really had nothing to tell you until now. I wrote to {Doctor} V.W. and will write today as soon as I finish this.

The first thing I want to tell you is that I have made arrangements through the {New England} Home for Little Wanderers to take my baby right