1942 March 22 - Henry to sister Marie

Henry wrote to Marie - "Esp was born Jan 8, same year as you (1913). Giving dates on woman's age has become military secret. The record apparently startled the folks - but it's just an announcement of intent, impossible to determine when or if we'll be spliced. Her occupation ... is secretary to chief of Editorial dept publico - which means that all books, texts, general articles, programs etc for whole public education system of nation goes thru that dept. And being a fool type who works conscientiously she does most of it herself. The boss is a political appointee who shuns work. Her fellow workers (I met them at a party at her house) postpone everything til manana. She doesn't dance or sing, and denies that she plays the piano - though others say she plays well. Today she went mountain climbing - to train scaling cliffs - carries hammer, special spikes to be driven in rocks, lots of rope, etc. Will shortly make a descent into the crater of popocatepetl - stay overnight. No woman member in 20 years of club's existence has made it.