Jacksonville Beach, Fla
Thursday Night.

My Dear Sweetheart,

Another day and I have not had a letter, but I feel sure that they were not forwarded from Dr KS office until late and I’ll probably get two when they come tomorrow. If you didn’t write, I’ll love you just the same.

This afternoon there was quite a crowd in the water as the stores closed as usual and allowed the clerks a half holiday. It is quite a different crowd from those coming Saturday afternoons. We went in the surf just before noon as Dr. White thought it would not be so chilly when we came out. It was quite warm (the air) and my back feels as though I have a pretty good sun-burn. I hope he feels about the same way, as he needs something to take a little conceit out of him. I have a mighty hard time to keep him steered right in this work, and I think I put it over pretty good this afternoon. He wants to work with some crabs which burrow along the beach, believing that they might be the host of our parasite causing creeping eruption. It is about the most foolish thing a person could do, as lots and lots of our cases originated on the interior where there are no possible chances that they could be concerned. I told him that what I needed of him was some technique in preparing the slides for identification and that if he would do this I would feel grateful. I have worked up the epidemiology of the cases so that I have a very good idea as to what animals we should test, and I have told him in plain English that he didn’t know anything about it. If my work is not to be regarded, he can have the problem when I am through. He was asked to come down but not to take charge, and in a polite way I told him that I had “my problem” pretty well in hand. I always welcome suggestions, but he will have to “snap out” of the idea that he knows so much about this particular problem. If he doesn’t make a move to return to Wash before long, I will probably make my trip down the state while he is here and then work this when I come back. It is a certain thing that he will not get anywhere if he takes his way in doing it. No wonder he said it would take 20 years. I don’t mean to burden you with this, Dear, but I feel that I should tell you everything that concerns me. Here’s hoping that I will not be so set in my ways that I will bore you.

August 6, 1925

K.S. was quicker to give an opinion than I was and I believe he was about right. He says don’t let him be so dogmatic, for it is not his problem. I can’t ask him to leave, but if he does not change his tactics I may tell him that about the best thing he can do is to return to Wash. He feels that I want to keep on the good side of him on account of possibilities in future work, but I don’t believe I want to work with such a slow man again.

I love you, Dear, and if you only knew how much, I’d be happy. I wish with all my power that I could have you with me now.

With a big hug and real sweet kiss

Always your
Walter.