Cambridge
August 26， 1920
Dear Sister，
The news of the baby’s visit is the most excitement I have had yet. It is exactly what I had hoped would happen for a long time， because I think a child in the family will do us all good. Of course it’s difficult and expensive and dangerous， but we mustn’t be afraid of things like that. A family that doesn’t go through them and risk things is decayed. There is no way of protecting ourselves from life that isn’t stupid， and the only way to be somebody is to do all the important things and do them with gusto①. To get married without having children is rather begging the question， I think， side-stepping the main issue. I am glad the family isn’t delaying， and I hope when you can afford it there will be one or two more. I hope it is a squalling② lusty boy with dark red hair and freckles③.
If the others weren’t pleased at the prospect， it was clumsy not to say so. But I suppose we are nothing if not frank in the family. Mother has always had the idea that there was something a bit vulgar about having a baby， as if the best people didn’t do it， whereas the “best people” are exactly the ones who still have families of eight and ten， while the middle classes nowadays are getting selfish and timorous④ and either have no children at all or else devote themselves to one spoiled baby. I’ll bet Roy is glad.
By the way， you must not let the family in. Be sure and go out every day to exercise， clear up till the confinement， and go in the motor all you can. Also please don’t economize. I insist on your going to a hospital and having a nurse for the first few months. Anything else is not safe.
If you are not too busy with sewing and things， I’d love the luster china and I’d like it as soon as I can have it. I’d like some cups and plate sand a tea set with a thick， squatty pot. If you have to buy any of the china， I’ll pay for it.
I just came down this morning. The boat trip yesterday afternoon was very lovely. Sunny and cool and a brilliant， Mediterranean blue， as we came through all the islands and thoroughfares on the coast. I had a great vacation and I’ve gained many pounds.
Lots of love and be careful.
Virgil
① guston. 爱好，津津有味，热情
② squallingadj. 哭哭啼啼的
③ frecklen. 雀斑，斑点
④ timorousadj. 极胆怯的 ，提心吊胆的，易受惊
弗吉尔·汤姆森致姐姐
亲爱的姐姐：
婴儿即将诞生的消息是最令我感到兴奋的事情。这正是我长期以来所盼望的，因为我认为家里有个小孩儿对我们大家都有好处。当然，生孩子既困难又费钱，而且还危险，但我们不能那样胆小怕事。一个经不起事、不敢冒险的家族是衰败的家族。没有办法使我们自己远离并不乏味的生活，唯一能使我们成为重要人物的方法是去做所有重要的事，并且兴致勃勃地去做这些事。我认为，结婚而不要孩子是诡辩，是回避主要问题。我为咱们的家族没有衰败而欢欣，我希望，若你们能负担得起，再多要一个或两个孩子。我希望即将出生的这个孩子是强健的、长着深红色头发和雀斑的、大声啼哭的男孩。
如果其他的人对孩子的出生不高兴，不用说也知道那很愚蠢。但我觉得如果我们在家里都不坦诚，那么我们还算什么呢。母亲一直有这样的想法，生孩子是有点庸俗的事情，似乎上层人不做此事，而实际上“上层人”恰恰是那些拥有八个或十个家庭成员的那些人，但如今的中等阶层却越来越自私和胆怯，要么根本不生孩子，要么全身心都放在一个被宠坏的孩子身上。我肯定罗伊会十分高兴。
顺便说一句，你不要让家里人参与此事。每天一定要出去锻炼，到分娩时再告诉他们，尽可能乘汽车去分娩。一定不要太节俭。我坚持认为你应该到医院去，最初的几个月由护士照顾。其它的任何方式都不安全。
若你不是太忙于缝纫或其他的事，我想要些精美的瓷器，并希望尽快得到。我想要几个茶杯和盘子，一套配有厚实、粗矮的茶壶的茶具。如果你得去买这些瓷器，我会付钱的。
我今天早晨才返回。昨天下午的乘船旅行真是太有意思了。当我们游览所有的岛屿及海滨大道时，天空晴朗，气候凉爽，地中海那鲜艳夺目的蔚蓝呈现在我们的眼前。我度过了一个愉快的假期，而且长胖了许多。
请多保重！
弗吉尔
于坎布里奇
1920年8月26日
