Stanford

March 6, 1962.  Letter from Beutelsbach

Liebe Eltern,

Your letters are wonderful – you sound like you are having a blast too. I am not surprised that John Henry made big hits in Athens, Rome, Florence, and other centers of world activity. I only wish I had been on hand for a few of the speeches. I don’t know if you are aware, but I have yet to hear him give a formal talk before an audience. Maybe in Paris?

I waited this long to write back because I wanted to be completely over my sickness before informing you of it in detail – if I had written last week, I’m sure you would have bombed right up to mother me.  And I could have used some mothering. I mean, three weeks in bed, with strept (streped? streppt?  streepest?) throat, the flu, and tonsillitis don't do wonders for a body. I went to classes (Tuesday) for the first time in 26 days. I have lost 20 pounds, and do not look the picture of health.  For these reasons, I have been exempted from most of the required work this quarter, including term papers. Finals are to be taken at my discretion. I have so much to do to just catch up with everyone else that it may be a tight 10 days .  What it all adds up to is that the food bill may go up in Paris, and the long hikes may be shortened somewhat. All I missed of importance outside of classes were two days in Prague, but I’ll get them back this summer - the kids who did go were wildly enthusiastic about the city.

Well, back to the sleeping pills. Send me your address.

Sam