es

¢.

Back in 1925 we lost Porrest, jr., and since that time Mrs. Allen has
never been the same. She put her whole life in her children and it was her
philosophy when he went so early that he had been cheated in his right to
live as a young man. Whether that is the right or wrong philosophy to have,
‘she hed it and still has it. She ag a mother has put everything into Bob.
and he has been the nearest ideal to her of any of the children. I+ is- very
diffioult for her to divorce her deep affeotion for-Bob. She just can't do
it even though Jean has first olaim and should have, and Mrs. Allen is
earnestly striving to maintain that attitude and position.

At the same time, she is very fearful of Bob's health, and with all
‘the background of her worrows it looked to her as if you were taking ingur-
-azige out/on Bob*s life ~ rather a gamble on his gying, instead of his living.
i told Mrs.’ Ailen that it wes merely a gift to Jean and Bob, that you were
figuring on him living and she was figuring on him dying. Just two view-
points. — ,

t wh ask you to acoept it in the best grace possible because Mrs.
_ Allen would not hurt Jean and Bob in any degree, but she just couldn't get
over this hazardous quirk of mind. :

£ would not have mentioned this had I not considered that it was para-
mount to both of our interests, in both familics, to be bigger than anything
that happens on the outside at times, and remember that lis. Allen is a very
intelligent woman but in this case the background of experiences has one
bittered her and she could not help feeling the way she presented the matter,
-vather than the way I think it really is. 7

4ith all good wishes to you and Jessie, and assuring you of my under~.

standing and devotion to both Bob and Jean, as well as my sincere friendship
for Jean's parents, I am .

‘Vy Shasaey: yiltells

, Director of Physical Education,
POAtAl | Varsity Basketball Coach, —