Let No. 42 April 17, 1919 9:30 PM
My dear Mother,
Just a little to wish you many happy returns on May 2nd. Just after mailing my last letter I received one from you of March 23rd. It had made very good time.
Have been OD (officer of the day) in the Mess Hall today. Am on duty until 10 PM. Not much to do except hunt up various nurses for the officers. A big dance on in the Nurses' Hut tonight given by the officers of the University here. Real ice cream will be served. Would have gone if my turn as OD had not interfered. Had a good time at the dance Saturday and last night attended one given by the enlisted men.
This is a monotonous life. I prefer hard work. Will be disappointed if I do not get into Italy after all. My request is on file at Tours but those January and February are only now being granted. The number permitted in Great Britain and Italy is limited.
Had a pc from Uncle a few days ago. I must write Mrs. Pearce.
One of our nurses had her tonsils taken out yesterday and another parted with her appendix this morning.
Miss Le Gros and I are going to Beaune (yes, bone) tomorrow afternoon to get some white stockings we took there to have dyed brown. Stockings are so expensive here and we had white ones given us by the Red Cross last spring.
More equipment has arrived. I drew a raincoat which I needed badly-a garment that gets hard wear in this country. Hope to get a suit and shoes in the next shipment.
Have been unable to get a Stars and Stripes for two weeks. Guess they must go to the YMCA Huts for students. I miss it. Looks as if peace terms were about to be signed.
Combat units are being sent home ahead of schedule. Students have already left here so I guess the school will gradually dwindle in size. The boys are more interested, naturally, in getting home than studying.
It is ten o'clock, my fire is out, so I will salute you and wish you a fond good night.
Affectionately, Jane