Dear Cyndy,

Thank you for your letter. My primary purpose in writing
to you now is to wish you a pleasant and satisfactory -
the technical terms are edifying and constructive - trip
to the West Coast. However necessary they may be, such
journeys are never easy, and I join Ned, and perhaps even
yourself in eager anticipation of your return on Sunday.

My sister has finally settled on flying to Virginia, -
accurately to Tri-Cities Airport in Tennessee about 50
miles from our house, to be met there by one Roald Kirby,
the son of a former schoolmate of ours. I took it on
myself to telephone Roald and to assure him that if
Margrit's somewhat extravagant plans which I described
in my recent letter proved impractical, he could send
her back to Boston if she were willing, or otherwise
get her on a plane to Detroit. I'm impressed by the
underlying complexity and murkiness of the human psyche,
and although always disconcerting, and sometimes
frightening to have these facets of our lives become
obvious, there is undeniable virtue in the aletheia -
the unhiddenness, the revelation of what and who we are.

An elementary question: Does one apply the term "Victorian"
only to a period of English history, or is it applicable
also to the nineteenth century histories of Italy, France,
Russia, Germany and Scandinavia, for example? I looked up
Victorian adulteration of food on the Internet, and immediately
lost my appetitte, couldn't discern however the ins and outs
of any controversy. Please enlighten me.

Stay well and happy, and enjoy your trip as much as you can.
Please give my best to Ned.

Jochen