It was a very strange and unusual episode about which
I telephoned you. At about 11:50 a.m. the phone rang, and
I was addressed by the plaintive voice of a young man
who called me "grandfather" rather than "Yoyo", - that
should have been a hint. I couldn't identify his voice
and asked, was he Benjamin. After inquiries about the
weather and my health, "Benjamin" told me that he was
telephoning from a Quebec detention center, where he was
being held because of an automobile accident in which
he had been involved the night before. He seemed confused,
told me that "all my accounts have been frozen," that he
had no access to any funds. He said said he was represented
by a lawyer, and I suggested the "lawyer" should telephone
me with details of the legal problem.

About 10 minutes after we had hung up, the "lawyer" telephoned
to tell me that he had secured from the judge the dismissal
of all criminal charges and that there would be no criminal
record, but that the Court required payment for the damage
"to the other car" before releasing "Benjamin". The amount
required was US $3740, which the "lawyer" told me could not
be paid by check or credit card but should be transmitted
from a facility at Walgreen's or Walmart, with elaborate
instructions not to disclose the purpose of the transaction.
I assured the "lawyer" who said he could not be reached by
telephone because he would be in court, that I would see what
I could do. He said he would call me back. I suggested in
about one hour. He did telephone me again, but having spoken
with you, I assured him that the matter was taken care of.
He wanted to know, had the money been sent, and I repeated
simply that the problem had been resolved.

I have thought about what I wrote to you recently about needing
physical help with the Nantucket project. However much I would
enjoy having your help or that of the children, I'm confident
that if I am otherwise well enough, I can obtain the help I
need from unskilled local laborers at an hourly rate which
will not compromise the economic rationality of the project.
This consideration should serve to give you - and the children
the freedom to do - or not to do, whatever seems best.

Unless I hear from you first, I'll telephone about 9 p.m. this
evening to find out about the mail. I hope you are feeling
reasonably well.