Letter No. 4 Blois France July 3rd, 1918 7 AM
Dear Mother,
Am writing this in the station at Blois. We leave here this morning for our permanent destination. Were called at 4 AM served breakfast at 5 AM, got to the depot at 6, and found third class carriages awaiting us. The commanding officer would not let us make the journey in them se we have to wait until 11 AM when I suppose they expect better accommodations for us. From our last experiences we expect the trip to take anywhere from 24 hours to a week. We hope, however, to spend at least part of the 'Glorious Fourth' with the men of our unit. We are terribly tired of traveling and will be so glad to get settled permanently. Hope there is mail awaiting us there. I wrote John Skelland, Sarah Ann, and Aunt Fanny from South- Hampton and have sent cards to a number in Minneapolis.
If you know the regiments that boys we know are in I wish you would tell me.
How are the crops? Very little fruit in this section of the country because of late frosts. The fields and gardens look well. Have had no rain since we have been here and the streets are dusty.
While out walking the other day, Miss Wenck and I discovered the teachers were three young French women who were so glad to see us we being the first Americans whom they had talked. As they had difficulty in understanding our English and we theirs, we used the blackboard. We wanted them to continue teaching but they refused insisting on visiting with us and finally gave the children a recess and took us over to their rooms nearby. They came over to see that evening and gave me a French lesson. Begged us to write them in English and they would reply in French, also invited us over to see them again. Very much amused to hear later that a school authority had reported our visit to the American Colonel and it was not to be repeated as it interrupted and disturbed the children in their work. We enjoyed ourselves and so did the teachers so who cares. I'm afraid we are the first and last Americans with whom they will have the privilege of exercising their knowledge of English.
Awfully hard to write letters as the entire sting things would be cut out. Two groups of nurses have left us but I hope will join us soon.
Have the Pearces or Whitelaws been up? I sent James his box by a civilian of our unit several days ago not knowing I would see him so soon. Going out in the sun to get thawed out. There stone buildings are so cool.
Affectionately, Jane
Note: Learned later we were just being ribbed in regard to this visit to the school. I did correspond with one of the teachers for a short time.
Received in CL Aug 2nd