April 14th
My Dear Margaret,
So glad to receive you letter written Tuesday this morning. Heard from Fanny on Wednesday. Breakfast at 7:15, but as there was nothing doing Miss Samuelson and I stayed in bed until nine, then at 10 went to the YWCA and joined a French class being organized there this morning. We will meet every morning for an hour paying ten cents a lesson. It will help to pass the time and we may find it some help. Most of the nurses have been taking French lessons at home, but none of them seem very proficient. The instructor is a little French woman. She spoke of being with some young lady probably as a governess or companion.
I believe we have to make arrangements for leaving some of our money in this country. If so I will have mine sent on to you. If so keep enough out to pay my two insurances and buy me War Saving Stamps with the rest. The premiums for the nurses insurance will be taken out of our pay by the government so we will not have to bother with that.
Wednesday we have an entertainment at the hospital-Wisconsin Base Hospital furnishing most of the talent.
The damnable weather continues, not a glimpse of the sun this week. Today it is snow instead of rain-great big flakes-and the ground is white. I have walked about two hours each day until today. George Gould's estate is beautiful. Believe we can go through by paying a quarter.
Yes, Mrs. Pearce will enjoy having Will with her but I fear he will get tired of it. Is the man able to do work alone?
I hope Clear Lake earns a Liberty Flag.
I did not try to phone Clara.
There are several hundred nurses here. Some have been here several weeks. Have no idea how long we will be here. Nothing much to do but eat, sleep, walk, knit, write, and play cards. A good rest for many of the girls. Cannot say that I need it particularly. Wonder if George K. misses me!
Have met two St. Luke's, Duluth nurses who know Mrs. David Caughren.
Miss Samuelson and I have a very pleasant room with running water. Do not know where the water supply comes from. It is so lovely and soft, just like Seattle. Miss Samuelson has no bed socks so she will get yarn today and we will each make one.
No sign of the men of our unit. I fancy we will meet them on the boat. I am afraid James Brook's homemade candy will be rather dry. Fanny, the ruby ring has been much admired. As you see I need a tablet and my pen refilled. Have you put up the Service Flag, or will you wait until I get to France?
The sky seems to be lighting up so perhaps it is the last of the precipitation. Fanny spoke of Art Skinner dying. Was it rather sudden?
I hear we get very good-looking equipment and the suits are fitted. Should think they would need to be on the different shaped nurses one sees here.
Love to all, Jane.