1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

Continued from scan 57

… of getting wires crossed by correspondais and proposals from two different places, with distance and time lag between them.

2) As I pointed out to Fro, the only advantage I could see in accepting the Yale proposal was that there would then be funds for city gate and basilica, to the excavation of which we are considered committed by Philosophical Society and Megaw. But this a dubious advantage because such further excavation might protract the operation at Curium, which we wish to close, and complicate the problem of publication. For architect, see above about hact - Christofi. Marian Holland is I think planning definitely to return to U.S. to work in an office so that she can get a license. Think Mr. Stevens would be an awful bother. Travlos probably busy at Agora but Thompson might spare him in a pinch for a limited time.

The point about the Oberlins (i.e., her) is to get the Ellen work done efficiently and well. Ellen is very pleased with her & sure she can do a good job. Hence no need for Ellen herself - we discussed it not very seriously, & I gathered that she would be reluctant - there is MacRobbie, & also the editor job which she considers most important and permanent. So we did not pursue it further. Oberlin himself is turning out to be a good excavator, careful & thorough. He will always probably be something of a white mice, but he is pleasant and willing, and might be entrusted with any little jobs of supplementary excavation (i.e., mosaic project) and perhaps any odds & ends of publication if they seem desirous or he becomes interested (e.g. have thought at times the lamps of Curium might be useful). Ellen has no objections to taking on Mrs. Overgrown.

3) Had assumed your departure might be delayed by all this. Would expect to make a stop-over on way back from Affanistan in the fall, both at Gordion & at Curium.

This seems to be a Cyprus business letter: - as most lately. For the rest, things here proceeding most satisfactorily, though slowly & somewhat wetly.

Roy