They sailed for the Philippines fro

They sailed for the Philippines from San Francisco during December. The morning the ship was to leave, Harley surprised Bee with a large bunch of violets. This had special significance, as she later recalled: “If your beau liked you well enough, he would send you a big bunch of violets to wear.”75 But it was a treat Harley did not believe he would not be able to afford often: the newlyweds were on a strict budget. The Army did not pay travel expenses for wives, so traveling overseas became a costly affair. After Harley had paid all their lodging bills, he found he still had one five dollar gold piece left. Wanting to use the money to surprise Bee, he slipped down to a flower shop near their hotel, on Powell Street. Back East, violets were expensive—four or five dollars a bunch. Here, he picked out a big bunch of violets and turned over his gold coin.