Letter from Dora Giffen to her family, May 23, 1925

American Mission,
Fayoum - Egypt
Saturday, May 23, 1925

My Dearest Ones:

Your letter did not come this week. I will probably get two next week.

Just as I had sealed up your last week’s letter a centipede crossed my floor and I finished him. I never see one without thinking of Father’s study in our new house in Assiut.

On Monday I received a lovely letter from Helen Jones. I probably mentioned her a good many times last summer. She wrote the letter on Saturday morning and was telling me of the little tea Mrs. Hart was having for her that afternoon, at which Helen’s engagement to Walter Hart was being announced. Walter is getting a splendid girl. Helen finishes her three years in Egypt this June. I am looking forward to visiting them in Pittsburgh next year, as Helen says, “You won’t have to come clear to Oregon; we will be in Pittsburgh.” She has finally decided that Walter is the one.

I thought of Martin on Thursday – the date of his Senior Recital. I am thinking he was a busy person, if he gave his recital and put out the Senior Editions of the B. and M. in the same week. Laura brought back with her some B. and M.s which Wilma Mintier gave her; in them I saw the reference made to Martin as editor of the Senior B. and M. probably before this reaches you Martin will have graduated. If I did get to go home this year, I probably would not get there until too late, as none of the young ladies are leaving until next week.

Quite a party is going on Wed. next. The Grants, Buchanans, and Ida Wiegman are among them. I am enclosing two letters – one from Miss McMillan and the other from Ida Wiegman. I had not heard of Prof. Lowery’s breakdown. Was it very serious?

The P.M.I. and Cairo Girls’ College both held their commencements yesterday. It was a good day here yesterday. The day before we had one big sandstorm which lasted for several hours. Everything was literally black from the black dust (or sand, I don’t know which) which sifted in. It cooled off the atmosphere, however. We had been having some hot, hot days.

Until one of the B. and M.s came with a picture of the new stadium, I could hardly figure out where Martin was standing when one of his recent snaps was taken. Now I see he was by the new stadium. It is changing the looks of things a bit, around there, isn’t it?

Miss Criswell and Miss Mary Work are planning to make a short visit here on their way down-country, principally to see our new building. They come next Wednesday. We are also expecting Miss Huntley from Luxor soon.

Laura had a nice time in Cairo, getting home Mon. evening. She got to attend Helen’s announcement tea; was also at the Galts for dinner. Jean Campbell is in Tanta Hospital again – this time with rheumatism. She had quite good health in America but has not been well since coming to Egypt.

This week has been filled with letter-writing, settling up accounts for the year – before Mr. G. goes to Switzerland, and visiting classes. In another week or two I will be hiring the teachers for next year. I dislike that job.

The cook is making some mishmash jam this morning. Mishmish are good now. Dr. Askren brought over quite a few yesterday that had been given to him. He is leaving soon, so he did not want them.

Laura and I had planned to go to Sonores on Thurs. afternoon to attend to several little matters, but the sandstorm kept us inside the house with all doors and windows shut. The Galloway’s house was hardly visible.

Now goodbye, and lots of love to you all from your Dora.