Letter No. 26 Monday p.m. December 9th
My dear William,
Your letter of December 7th received a few days ago upon arising from a good days sleep otherwise I could not have stood the shock! I assure you it was very much appreciated. Got a bunch of mail that day-letters from Mother, Margaret, Alice, Fan of Nov. 3rs and 7th, and two days ago Margaret's long one of the 11th.
I was afraid Fan would contract the flu. Hope she made a rapid recovery. We thought it bad enough here but you had it worse in the States.
Came off duty Saturday night and am back in charge of my old ward B. Patients are being sent out slowly but steadily. Wouldn't be surprised if we leave here soon. Dr. Law is very anxious to get back to Minneapolis. Believe he has his eye on the chair in surgery at the University just made vacant by the death of Dr. Moore.
The boys are so tickled to get home. This war has made good Americans of all who came on this side. As this is a 20,000 bed camp it will take some time to get them all out. I imagine the traffic westward is as congested as it was months ago coming this way. I expect we will sail home from a French port. Wish we would go to Boston. I'd like very much to get up with the Army of Occupation but there seems little chance of doing so as an individual. Some Base hospitals have left France but none from here as yet.
Sorry Margaret has not received my allotments of $25 per month. My passport number is 10581. Do not know of any other information that may be needed. Tell Margaret to keep writing them until she receives a reply and blow them up for not replying. The May allotment is the first she should receive.
Went to Chalon ten miles from here in the ambulance Saturday. Bases 25 and 26 now have the ambulance every other afternoon from one to six o'clock. I am awfully glad to get off night duty and around a bit again.
Am sending another Stars and Stripes. I think the sketches inside the paper are so good and quite to the point. AWOL means 'Absent With Out Leave.'
Heard from John Skelland yesterday. He wasn't even called up for examination.
Which has been decided wet or dry for Minnesota?
Haven't heard from anyone in England but John as I owe them letters.
Just been over having a sup of tea. Some of our released aviators were there. Believe they are leaving this camp tonight.
I trust Congress does nothing rash while President Wilson is away. I sent Harold a card of congratulations. The democrats seem to be losing in popularity.
Must go over on duty.
Affectionately, Jane.