New York May 3rd, 1981 Dear Louisa and Mike - You must have thought my silence odd - You will understand when 1 tell you that Bill has not been well for most of this past winter and spring- 1 think you knew he was mostly in Florida - Most sadly, he went into hospital in early April on the Cape - rallied d bit, then, peacefully, In his sleep, died on April 9th - It is high impossible to believe -But I didn't want you to learn this dreadful bit of news from anyone else - and I found I couldn't really tell it over the phone - Also, I didn't want to intrude on new happiness with all this deep unhappiness, until now - We will talk soon - meanwhile, much much love. Janet