New York, 10th December 1946

Dearest Machi, et al

I was going to write a long drawn-out letter, but when I phoned to ask the girl to call me at 7:30am I find it is 1:05. I am appalled, as I have only been to a small restaurant with the Adamsons and thought it was about 11:00. It was my first food since 5:45am today, except for a cup of coffee and half a sandwich at 5:15pm. Found I just couldn't eat the rest. The food tonight, at an Italian restaurant, was grand, and the proprietor gave us free liqueurs on the strength of my going abroad - and two ways of cooking chicken in detail, and a handful of mixed herbs of some kind. I still taste strongly of the rolls which were split, buttered and covered with chopped cheese and garlic and baked some more. Very good, but pungent.

I was rather horrified at first at the thought of going via Panama - but it has its points. The porters looked depressed about my radio even going to New York, and they wouldn't check it at the station (nothing breakable), and the coloured man here at the hotel said it looked as if I were here to stay! The man from the office phoned me before I'd been here five minutes, and asked me to come around, and I was there until 5:00pm, so you can imaging how much I have left to do tomorrow. Machine - watch - machine table - records - white shoes - Etta-dear - George - Mr Weatherill - meeting Hugo - and going to the shipping company. That last seems unnecessary, but I am told I must. Jack Adamson says he will come by and see me down to the subway.

It is a Norwegian freighter - carries twelve passengers. Mr Hendrickson said he had only heard of it this morning, and had made enquiries about the passengers as he thought three weeks with "someone with a rasping voice or something" might be unbearable for me. He found a couple from the American embassy (one Singer), and everyone under forty (early thirties, he said) except one old woman, and a girl of seven, thank goodness, for Hugo. It wouldn't occur to me to refuse, anyway, especially as San Francisco haven't yet got a definite booking - but it does seem a long way around, and what a pity my other luggage went out to California. At last every checked piece has come, and they will see me to the ship. This time it will be worse - more weeks with the three dresses from the tanker, plus Nich's wasp bathing suit, and skirt with bra! Think I shall buy a strip of cotton for a sarong and hope I can find Hugo one pair of nice shorts to arrive in.

They say to send my trunk (suitcase) to Asiatic Petroleum Co, 50 West 50th St, New York, attention Mr Hendrickson (he seems very solicitous). Couldn't find out from him how long the journey would be. Shall enquire tomorrow.

It was nice to have the Adamsons seem so glad to see me. They hear Bob is going to London on business, and Rosa is coming home.

I phoned Royal Lord and had drinks with him this evening, and he refused to take that $10. I don't care. Said he had had to pay $20 for lunch at the Twenty-One today with "Pat" - the actual man who lent it to me - and he would just tell this Pat (Stark's chief of staff) that he had paid for half the lunch. He also offered me his flat which he seldom uses (just had three Englishmen in it for three weeks) for as long as I was here, but it isn't worth moving for so short a time, especially when I only pay $3 a night here. I was amused. I have a bathroom, double bed, and a radio you put a quarter in for two hours. He is taking me out to dinner tomorrow night. He still brags, but so obviously it's like a little boy. His corporation has just today received a two million dollar contract to do something or other in the Argentine, and they have already received a cheque for $100,000 for their expense account, and he leaves for Buenos Aires again in two weeks. It was funny - I asked for Mr Lord. The girl didn't understand so I said Major Lord, and while she was connecting me she said in a whisper "that's General".

Well, I must get some sleep. I slept a great part of the way down but was still dozed when I arrived. Will write briefly, about receiving Hugo, and what the Shell Company says.

Lots of love, Molly

Later

I don't know what is the matter with me. I've been awake hours, and finally phoned to get the time and it is still only 6:00am. For one thing I don't think my supper sat too well. Also I keep wondering in what order to do the many things I want to do. This room is much too hot, too. Tell Nich I have three cakes of soap but no towel. I reckon the maid forgot. I have been using the shower curtain, which was all right until I took a shower and wet it.

The radio has stopped. I'm sure I didn't run it for two hours.