[Carroll Arms Hotel, Washington, D.C.] Sunday, December 5, 1937
Dear Bess:
Your special, enclosing one from Margaret, arrived on time. I was out driving around and didn't get it until noon. I am glad the play went off all right. I was sure it would. Wish I could have seen it.
Today is my father's birthday. He'd be eighty-six if he'd lived. I always wished he'd lived to see me elected to this place. There'd have been no holding him. I'll go and see the furniture men just as soon as I can. But I don't want to make any purchases until you see whether you like them or not. I've always wanted to take part in the furnishing of a house. But my ideas have always run to such extravagant tastes that I'm afraid you wouldn't approve. I'd like to have rugs and carpets from Bokhara and Samarkand, pictures by Frans Hals, Holbein, and Whistler, with maybe a Chandler pastel and a Howard Chandler Christy or two with Hepplewhite dining room, mahogany beds (big enough for two), etc. ad lib. Well it can't be done - so we'll have to do what we can and I want you satisfied. What do you want for Christmas? - a feather bed or a potato peeler? Maybe you'd like a washing machine or just a plain tub and washboard.
Margaret told me you had taken her list away from her and it made her head ache to create another. What does she want?
Love to you both, Harry