There are four thousand wounded in Dinard this winter, and the need
for chemises, antiseptic cotton, sacks and bandages, never diminishes.
I, fortunately, have a few things left from what I brought over, and
I am dealing them out, as if worth their weight in gold. Socks are
much appreciated, as many are wounded in the feet, and cannot put on
slippers or shoes. One poor wretched Belgian hospital has depended all
the winter on what we gave them. The Matron told me but for us they
would have had nothing. She has been up two or three times since my
return begging socks, chemises and slippers, but, alas, I had none
to give her! She said the men were obliged to stay in their rooms or
beds as their uniforms were so dirty, torn, and shot-riddled, they had
to be repaired, and, having nothing else to wear, they had to stay
in hospital. I went by there the other day, a glorious sunny summer
afternoon, and I saw such poor, white faces looking out so longingly,
so young, and so suffering—mere boys of twenty, twenty-two and
twenty-four.
I hate to say too much about the sorrowing and suffering over here—so
much has been given, especially from America, where the generosity has
been overwhelming. One cannot see such wistfulness and patience without
finding a renewal of sympathy and a wish to help.
I was notified last week, that on Saturday, July 10th, at 4 o'clock,
the Prefet of our department (the governor of the state) will come to
Val Fleuri, officially, in full uniform, surrounded by his staff, to
thank us in the name of France, for what we have obtained from our
friends in America, and to express through us the Government's grateful
recognition of America's generosity. French people tell me it is a
rare honor which the government is showing us, and is an expression of
France's gratitude to America. The Prefet asked for a report (which we
sent), and the government has perfect cognizance from whence came our
supplies. So that you may be sure that full recognition has been made
for the shipments.
Many wounded there are always, but the spirit of the French people
is magnificent. No sacrifice is too great to make, no economy too
severe. All France has the utmost confidence in the soldiers and their
generals, and everyone feels it is time for endurance, economy and
work. And all, high and low, rich and poor, are putting their hearts
and courage into the affair, with an enthusiasm and devotion quite
surprising to those who thought of France as a decadent nation.
Yesterday I met at tea a French duchess, last year the most frivolous
and worldly person, always dressed in the height of fashion and devoted
to golf, bridge, and motoring. Yesterday she was dressed in a cheap,
ready-made black serge suit, with a black straw sailor hat, trimmed
with a black taffeta bow, such as a poor little governess or an upper
housemaid would have worn a year ago. And she said she was proud to
wear the costume, bought ready-made at the "Galleries Lafayette" for 50
francs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account