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.

-2from the hospital to a boarding home. I probably shall not see it at all. I shall have to pay $6 a week board from it until I decide either to sign it over or keep it with me. But you know I can't bring it home with me as there is barely enough room for myself here. Helen and Chet are so kind as it is that I try not to impose in any way. My hospital arrangements are not

-3final as yet as George has been trying to make arrangements so that I may have a home delivery. In that way I would have no bills for Hosp - doctors, etc. But it seems rather hopeless so far. I will probably so to St. Luke's Hosp. through the clinic and Helen + Chet will pay the hosp. bill until I can repay it. It will be $45.-$50. depending on the amt. of medication required. So that is the situation at present.

-4The other thing I wanted you to know is this - my mother now knows all. She sent a telegram for me to come right home as my brother was home on furlough - that was Sat. A.M.

So I realized the game was up so I sent her a special telling her the story - very briefly. I closed by saying that if I did not hear from her by Wed - today - I would assume she had decided to forget me. I heard nothing from her - so my last bridge is burned. Please write soon.

Sincerely Barbara

Aug. 8, 1944

Dear {Doctor} Van Waters:

I know you know by now about my baby's being born at 9.20 A.M. Sat. Aug. 5th.

I've seen her twice since then and I want you to know how happy I am about her. She is very tiny - 5 lbs 4 oz. but is perfectly normal and eats well so far. She is very pretty and older looking than most infants. She has dark

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brown hair and blue eyes. The prettiest part of her is her hands, I think. They are so long + slender and she does not clasp them as most infants do, but waves them around very gracefully just as if she knew they were pretty and was showing them off.

I have yet to see her with her eyes open - even though I try to prop them open and tickle her feet to keep her awake.

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I guess you can sense what a deep hold she has on me already. I would never dream of giving her up now. She doesn't look very much like me though she has my nose + mouth - poor dear. But she has her father's hair and eyes + chin.

I hope you can read this scribble, as I am half sitting up in bed. I feel very good and had a hard time but very excellent care. I had her with practically no anesthetic. I was conscious + talking all

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the time.

Well it is lunch time now and I am a little tired so I will have to close. I expect to go home Sun. or Mon.

Please tell Miss Kelley all about it and I will write her too the next spurt of energy I get.

Respectfully Barbara

P.S. Her name is Beverly - Ann - Brown "Honey" for short.