PO Box 3704
Stanford, California
September 11, 1964
Dear, sweet, “daughter-o-mine”
The joy and happiness that is my lot because it is my privilege to regard you in a father daughter relationship, you may never fully realize but I can assure you that is one of the most heart-warming and uplifting experience that I have ever had and it will light my way with an all pervading radiance for the rest of my days.
“My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky.” So wrote William Wordsworth, but I can say, in complete truth and honesty – “My heart leaps up when I behold you, Patricia, any time, any place, under any circumstance.” When I come within a half mile of your apartment, my pulse quickens and I count the blocks in anticipation, even though you are not expecting me. I just hope that you may be in and that, for a moment at least I may see your face or hear you voice. And any time I go down to the office ($127), I strive not to show the breathless eagerness with which I listen for your lifting voice or glance quickly into the “back room” to see if anything has brought you to the Field Studies desk for a few hours work.
I have been so happy of late over the fact that you are able to see some of Neva’s clothes that I brought in and also that Connie and even your mother – shall I just say Doris? – can use some of them. I would prefer you to have any that you can use over anyone else I know and I am certain that Neva would give her our whole hearted approval. She was a pretty good judge of character and she would have promptly recognized your fundamental goodness and your sweetness in dealing with others. I have never known another girl (or young woman, as you prefer) who was so consistently considerate of others, who always strives so hard to avoid hurting anyone. Were Neva looking over my shoulder as I try to pick out things you might use, I know that she would strive to shower you with all things that seem appropriate – using, of course, much better judgment than I, as she had such a [page 2] superior clothes sense – and in general a sense of the fitness of things. This was one of her outstanding characteristics – which explains why she left so many friends and so deep an impression on the community. It is also the reason that so many of my memories of her and of our years together are so rich and rewarding – even when they are tinged with sadness.
Incidentally, I felt sure that you would be able to wear a number of the pairs of gloves but I was overjoyed almost to the bursting point when you said that you’d be able to wear them all. You look so well in gloves for you wear them with such an assurance that they always look completely right. I was a bit fearful that you might feel that the black sweater was too heavy for you – not that you couldn’t use it – but I did hope that you’d be able to use it and I was delighted when you said you could. It really is a beautiful black sweater and I shall look forward to seeing you wear it some one of these cool mornings or days when a little extra warmth will be welcome. And I’ll swell inside with pride when I see it on you though I’ll never tell a soul ‘ceptin you – or Connie, or your Mom.
I’m enclosing a leaflet (from my bank) pertaining to wills and other matters. On the last page taxes or gifts are indicated. The marked sections show that a respectable amount is exempt from taxation. Not until the $3000.00 sum is reached for gifts in any one calendar year – is there a federal tax, and not until the sum exceed $4000.00 in any one year is there a state tax. So you would be wise to deposit what you have in a savings account in a bank or elsewhere & let it begin to draw interest on a compound basis for you as soon as possible. Also I am sure that, when you open a savings account, no bank official ever asks whether the deposit comes from salary, dividends, gifts, or anything else.
One other matter is on my mind also. I’ll all but drop on bended knee & beg you to take my Ent 50 Insects & Human Welfare – 1:30 M.WF. Room 5326 I am sure that I am not being conceited when I say that student reaction to it over the years has been that it is among the most valuable [page 3] of our general education offerings. I’m sure that it will broaden your horizons, open up many vistas of unusual interest and prove to be abundantly worthwhile. Of course – speaking personally – it also will provide three occasions a week during which “My heart may leap up” for obvious (to certain persons) reasons. The inspiration to do my best in lecturing will be always present. Shall I cross my fingers and hope? The situation will give no stupid minds a chance to misinterpret anything.
There are lots of other things I’d like to write about – just because I like to talk with you – and writing is a kind of talking – but his is probably as much as I’m justified in for this time. And so, for now- To you, the most vital, versatile, and never endingly fascinating young lady it has ever been my privilege to know, to my “adopted daughter,” with much love
Carl
Dr. Carl Duncan and Patricia Whiting Collection (SJSU)
