13 May 1930
John Griffin to Mother and Father, Paris, France
They posted the dates for the exams the other day. They start on the 20th of June and finish the 29th. We get our diplomas (those that pass) the 30th. I don't know just what to do. There are two different certificates I can try for, only of course one is better than the other. To get one, all you have to do is take a written exam in one subject and orals in 4 others. The other [certificate] you have to take written and orals in at least 4 subjects. So far I've been doing all the work. I don't know whether to try for all 6 or just 4. If I try for all 6 it may give a ... impression, and then if I try for only 4 and flunk one, I'm out. If I try all six I can still flunk two and get it. I think I'll go see one of the professors and see what he advises to do.
Tomorrow I go "on the stool" as they say. That is, I've got to treat a subject before the history class. I've read several books on it and outlined one, so I hope I get by all right. Then tomorrow I get back another theme. The professors are feeling the end coming and are loading it on extra heavy. Right now I'm still scared to death of the exams especially in two of my subjects, Philosophy and Medieval History. Oh well, I'm going to writ worrying; if I flunk I'll know anyway that I've done my best.
You talk of your wonderful springtime at home. I'd surely like to see a little of it over here. It's rained here every day for the last two weeks and has been cold besides. they turn the heat off in the hotel the first of April and if it's cold outside after that we just go cold. It's raining outside now and has been all day, and looks like it would last all night and tomorrow. It sounds good to hear about school, bands, orchestras, etc. at home. It brings back [memories]. Wouldn't it be keen to live those days over again. That's the way with life though. When I was there I wished I was here, and now I wish I were back there again.
I was glad to hear that business was better now-a-days. I hope that it keeps getting that way. I am darn anxious to get home and will get to work at something and start paying back my debts. I havn't received the $150 dad spoke of. I hope some of it arrives. You asked me how much more I would need to get home on. I can hardly tell right now but you see it will take $100 to live these next two months. Then I will have to buy a pair of shoes and several other things to go home on. If you could send me $40 more I could make it fine. If you can't why I'll just have to squeeze and make it somehow. Do what you think is best.
The saints in Marseilles and Grenoble are both insisting that I call around and see them again before I sail. All it would cost me would be railroad fare as they would keep me otherwise. This would cost me about $10. I don't know what to do. The boat we're planning to take now sails on the 6th [of July]. that would give me 3 days if I left the night of the commencement exercises. What do you think about it? When I stop to think that I may not ever see them again, and it's only a matter of $10, I'd surely like to do it. I'll see though how I'm fixed by then.
.
Back