1953: McFadden's death (2 of 2)

Continued from scan 80

… the need to run to the bank every day for small change. I am paying more here; 15 instrad of the Kunduz 12. Would have to pay more anyway because the cotton is ripe and we have competition; should think 13 or 14, but by paying 15 I get all the workmen I need without sour faces and strikes every minute. They gave us the house the French had when they worked here, which belongs to the govt. and is comfortable enough in a smally way (indoor plumbing). I am getting really sick of rice and melons, but by this time have forgotten what other possibilities there are in the civilized world, so get them down without really noticing. Likely will be talking pidgin english too for some time after my escape, as the only english speaking (ha ha) people here are Poopie and the cook, who understand the pidgin variety much better. I have read up all the meager supply of books I brought (the last bookshop I saw was in Peshawar) including all of Tarn, and fortunately I have a pack of cards with which to beguile the evening hours. No use writing letters; couldn't mail them until Kabul! We went to Mazar today (Friday, equals Sunday) to get gas for the car, a new watch for me - the old one got diseases, and I have to know the time for starting and stopping work - which I managed to buy on the hoof, so to speak; the watch shop was closed, but the proprietor of another small store sold me the watch right off his wrist; to look for mail at the hotel (none), to get cigarettes, and a warm coat for the cook, who has been freezing, and for Poopie to pray in the mosque of Ali (he is very pius. Not a thrilling expedition, but a change. The weather has been very pleasant, sunny and cool; a couple of days windy, so that we were almost blinded by the dust. One day of rain, on 1st October, while preparing to come here in Mazar. Think this a good digging season; probably too hot (not probably - damn certainly) before ca. 10 September, and up to now ideal (we are digging actually against the north face of the wall, so it is always shady; but if we get much deeper we will probably be able to see the stars in the middle of the day). How long this will keep up I don't know; Schlumberger is planning to continue digging until about Christmas. Doubt if CSC can start anything much - especially in the mountains - in March; said to be cold through April ,and rainy through May.

Interrupted by dinner & continued 10.26.53 I spoke too soon about the weather. Saturday high wind, so that we all nearly choked with the dust. Sunday damn cold. Today, rain and no digging. Also damn cold. Don't see why you think the locals are so honest. Have heard of at least five other similar burglaries in Kabul. One American teacher at Habibiya College completely cleaned out while at dinner two weeks after his arrival - they just piled everything into his own suitcases and walked off with them. Left only the clothes he had on. Everywhere else outside of Kabul they insist on our locking everything up; we have done so, and missed nothing. But am inclined to believe because of lack of means rather than incentive. But our present cook seems to be honest as well as a jewel in every other way (except cooking); he does my laundry, shines the shoes, and darns the sox! Think I will import him to Villa nova, and when I get there not buy any rice for him to use. I think the $ 2500 will be plenty to cover all other expenses here. Before I leave I will give Etemady another check for $ 315, to cover third quarter rent; guess CSC can pay the fourth when he gets here. I still have about 2600 in American Express checks; will give 500 to Cyrus before parting. Can arrange about the balance when I get home; think it would be easiest to keep them, and give museum a check for the balance after deducting rent and other expenditures. So don't make any more deposits to my account from Afghan fund; there should be a balance of over 2000 in checks when I get back.

Will write again from Kabul before leaving for Cyprus, giving final results. Enclosed herewith two notes, one for Ellen, one for Dorothy T.

Regards to the museum speciments.

N.B. it was the station wagon that had the tire trouble. Mostly punctures; but

Handwritten: No word from Roger: does he live?

Handwritten: Pesy.