File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Alice Mary Longfellow, 7 September 1918 (f80d87b7-2ce6-450f-a744-74adf7a83fe2).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#035

September 7, 1918
Dearest Aunt A,
Many, many Happy Returns of your birthday, though I fear that this may not reach you in time for it, after all.
I have so many lovely things to thank you for — the sweet rompers which are perfect for our “toutest petitest” (you shall have his picture in them) the “Die[?] de Guyverna[?]” and the interesting & thrilling articles you’ve sent me from time to time, not to mention the letters themselves[crossed out] [p. 2] themselves. What a reincarnated Mr P! How perfectly splendid that he’s so risen to the occasion and accomplished such wonders. Especially so because ^that^ one could never call him the “hustling” kind.
I’m spending the night at Castres preparatory to buying grapes for my enfants at the weekly market, drawing out money and getting essence from the Sous-Piefet with which to go to the seashore —Pierre-a-la-mer to reinspect a possible site for a new colony.
We have had an ever busier week than usual, with 38 [p. 3 marked 2] tonsils operations run off in a day and a half, the visit of a military dentist, packing up and moving special car loads of furniture for our new winter colony at Bédarieux where we are sending the 50 youngest, and an elaborate theatrical performance given by our boys and children from neighboring oeuvres for the benefit of parish charities.
I seem to spend my days telegraphing to Préfet for everything from [?] to sugar.
[p. 4] The red tape in getting our humble little Ford under way is incredible, tho’ really understandable considering the restrictions all over France. One can’t take a trip anywhere without a special permit ^each time^ now, and going from one département to another is as hard as crossing the Marne for the Germans.
No bells ring to announce the good news here, but everyone rejoices quietly grand[?] [???] What a miracle it all is!
I hope the family will send you my July 4th letter telling of those unforgettable days in Paris and my [p. 5 marked 3] trip so near the front. It seems like a dream now, and yet is the most vivid experience of my life.
I am planning to see them thro’ the winter here and perhaps stay on indefinitely. Only month-by-month developments can decide. If the war ends in the Spring —
We are at present on the verge of an entire change of personnel, with the Sisters leaving for Bédarieux with the youngest.
[p. 6] The burning question is “A lay colony or not a lay colony.” Sisters we try for every time for no laique can come up to them in divouerment and patience. But Sisters are clamored for in all the hospitals these days, and consequently ^very^ scarce. We hope to have a school of apprentices this winter with [???] and [???] for the older boys. If you could see what charmers we have among them!
Dear Aunt A. I wish I could write to you oftener, but you understand how full life is. I especially long to tell you every little incident, for I know how you would appreciate and sympathize ^as few others would^ loving the French as you do. So few really understand them. I don’t fully yet, but [p. 1 margin:] goodness knows I love them, especially the blessed enfants.
So much birthday love,
from your Bun.

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