Saturday 6 PM May 25th
My Dear Margaret,
This will be to you as it is mainly about Elsie Nebowldt.
We were ordered to return to our rooms after breakfast this morning, have our suitcases packed, and be ready for inspection by Major Green. The dear Major appeared about ten o'clock. We lined up in the hotel lobby, passed before him, opened our mouths, thrust out our tongues, and he gazed at our tonsils and teeth.
Returned to my room and a few minutes later Miss Newboldt called up and said she would be here at eleven o'clock for a few minutes. She appeared on time and I took her up to the roof as the unit was having its picture taken. You will receive one. There was such a glare that I may have my eyes closed. We then went to Miss Dunlop's room as I wanted her to meet Miss N. Miss Dunlop knows the Paynes and also Miss N's cousin who lives in Duluth. Miss Newboldt had lunch with us and we then went over to Brooklyn. We went to Greenwood cemetery and found Uncle's lot. Uncle Alfred's name is on one side of the stone and Flossie's mother's on the other. The other two graves are not marked.
We stopped at Miss Newboldt's room a few minutes and then came back as I was due here at 5 o'clock. Miss N. had her Kodak and took several pictures of me in Washington Square. She wished to be remembered to you. She is such a sweet little woman and it was a delightful afternoon.
It looks as if our nighties would have to be pulled out of our suitcases. I must ask Miss Gossman tonight about going to Philadelphia.
9 PM
Not permitted to leave the city tomorrow. Miss Newblodt has a nephew and a nephew-in-law in the unit with Joe. They landed in England and went through to France. They paid us full salary here but after we leave you will get $20 per month, or did I allot more? I have forgotten.
I insist upon mother going to Minneapolis as she and Mrs. Hurd enjoy each other so much, and it will do her a world of good. You must go mother.
Have seen the proof of the picture we had taken this morning. For a group I think it well arranged. Individually we look rather sober do chiefly to the difficulty of keeping our eyes open in glare and because Miss Gossman wished no broad grins or teeth showing. I trust you will be able to find me.
Walked up 5th Ave. and Broadway this evening with the Duluth girls and two other Duluth nurses who have just arrived from Fort Snelling where they have been this last year. I think the number of nurses passing through here is an indication that our men will soon be taking over their share of the front line trenches. We will not be the first St. Barnabas nurses in France.
A woman stopped us on the street tonight to invite us to a British Rally at Carnegie Hall tomorrow night-a postponed celebration of Victoria Day. She and her daughter are here on a mission. She thinks Americans woefully ignorant of what England has done and is doing. Doesn't like all the credit being given to the French. Say the English women are working themselves to death from the Queen down. A short time before coming to this country the grate in her Drawing room got out of order and it was a titled woman who came in to repair it. So I have my choice of that or of Mr. Girard at the Church of the Ascension, or a Gordon Highlander at the Dutch Reformed Church tomorrow night.
Such a storm as you had! Was there ay damage done one the farm? Doesn't seem possible it is nearly the end of May. When is Fanny's house party? I hope our crossing will be as calm as it was in June 4 years ago.
Affectionately, Jane.