Tuesday May 21st
My dear Family,
Well, we are still here. I had my trunk roped this morning and our to be packed for us in the morning. I know several units have left their hotels and I felt sure we will go this week.
To continue from my last, I stayed home Sunday afternoon. We St. Barnabas nurses had our pictures taken on the roof but they were a disappointment. Am sending some films on to Frances to have printed.
Sunday evening attended the Church of the Ascension and heard a splendid speaker (his name has slipped me). Subject-'Views of the Liberal and Labor Parties." Instead of a sermon they have a prominent speaker every Sunday evening followed by questions and discussions. He has just returned from Europe where he has been since the beginning of the war. He is the author of "in the British Isles." George Creel spoke last Sunday and Mr. Girard will be there next Sunday.
Yesterday I did a bit of shopping buying more soap, Maple sugar, etc. Those of us on for Red Cross soliciting from 8 to 12 were told we need not go.
This morning we drilled at the Armory from 9 to 10. This afternoon I rode up 5th Ave. on top of a bus to within a block or two of St. Patrick's Cathedral and waited to see the funeral cortege of the Italian aviator. The military escort represented every nation and I believe every branch of the service. The floral pieces were magnificent. An airplane flew up and down 5th Ave several times before the procession dropping flowers. I enclosed one of them. It started to rain as they got near the church and poured the rest of the afternoon.
I continued up the Avenue to 59th St to a tea room owned by Mrs. Stanley Lyman's sister. Two of them were is, one of whom I had met in Minneapolis. Had tea and cake with them and they gave me a lovely cake to bring home to treat the girls tonight, so we and Duluth girls will have a spread about ten o'clock tonight. Tomorrow I have pressing to do.
I mailed my clothes to you on Monday. Sorry the gloves are soiled but I had mislaid them and only succeeded in finding them the last minute. It takes 48 hours to dry gloves in our room without heat. The pajamas were on the line three days. It keeps us busy washing and ironing the white cotton waists we have to wear most of the time with our uniforms.
Received you Thursday letter yesterday. Yes, Ben may be sent overseas.
I have several post cards and will send you one every day until I go. I shall expect a letter from you every week telling me of your doings. I hope to be able to write you a steamer letter and will number it No 1. I will keep a list of them with dates and you acknowledge them by number. The censor may cut the dates from the first ones.
I have a bottle of smelling salts and one of camphor which ought to keep me going.
Any mail that comes to us here will, I am sure, be forwarded. We really all look quite nice in our uniforms especially the grey uniforms and aprons, but you would not think so from the pictures.
Love to all. Affectionately, Jane.