File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Thorp family, 28 April 2021 (af223508-02fd-4d67-a010-19feb7e299f3).jpg

English:

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#019

Lacaune
April 28, 1918
Dearest Family,
Atlast[sic] it is heavenly Spring weather, and I’m sitting in brilliant sunlight by the open window of my little high-up room, looking out over ^the dormitory^ roof-top[?] to distant wooded heights and the still snowy peak, dedicated to the Virgin, from which one can see the Mediterranean! All the beauty of the country has come out in these last clear days, and the nights of full moonlight have been magical. It is so strange to be able to stroll in perfect tranquillity thro’ the pine-groves without a thought of bombs or caves; and so blessed to see those 80 enfants deep in slumber with no ^dread of^ [crossed out: more] brutal awakenings!
The farm of Mlle de Rose’s mother is on an hilltop nearby, on the edge of a little holly wood. We strolled up there a few evenings ago after a light snowfall, and never shall I forget the beauty of the hillsides in the moonlight. It was so strangely like G’ville and Pine [Nut?] — combined!
Things are really under way now, — one dormitory finished, and the others being rapidly torn[?] into shape. We still lack the luxuries of life, such as our full complement of blankets, school-books, various garments, etc. But Red Cross supplies are actually en route now — a wonderful list of things, including 100 lbs. of
[written up the left side of this first page and at its top.]
I never thought [crossed out: I’d]we’d be discharging field-hands so early in the game refugees at that — but so it goes. The poor gens du nord can get [crossed out: along] ^used^ to this strange midi. And the local paysans don’t [crossed out: welcome them with open arms] make it any easier for them! Always so much much love from Your Bun
[page 2] American candy and 5 American footballs!
Meanwhile, we’ve been living very satisfactorily on the produce of the countryside, supplemented by a few supplies of beans and potatoes which managed to get through. Pork is the great specialty here, and yesterday we killed one here. Such a performance! A peasant-woman, specially trained in the art came to take charge, neatly attired in immaculate apron and frilled cap, demanded first a needle and thread, then proceeded to take over the whole kitchen for the ghastly business. Such a sight I’ve never seen! I’ll spare you the [crossed out: ghastly] ^grim^ details, but it took her all day, and even by supper-time she hadn’t quite finished the last rope of sausage. They “put up” about a dozen different varieties of cochon meat in this country, saucissons, jambon, lard, [crossed out: and] a thing called “boudon” which is like a delicious paté, etc. etc. It is a fine art to know how to do it, and when they’re through, everything is suspended from the ceiling, in the most picturesque manner! I wish you could see the kitchen of the farm belonging to the Comité — a regular stage-scene — huge fireplace blackened by the smoke of ages, kettle, shining brass, enormous pots and pans, cochon suspended from the ceiling, and [page 3] most picturesque of all, ^square^ beds in the [crossed out: hall][wall?] framed in red curtains and heaped high with feather-bed covering. It’s a perfect delight, and the sweet young farmer’s wife rocking the home-made cradle by the fire is the loveliest part of all!
In the barn and courtyard outside lambs, geese, rabbits, and hens strut about according to their different temperaments, [crossed out: ^while 2 solemn Boche prisoners attend to the many farm chores^] and beyond on the steep, wet hillsides immaculate ^pink & white^ cochons graze placidly ^tended by knitting jeunes filles. * It is a [crossed out: heavenly] ^wonderful^ place, swept by all the winds of Heaven, with a glorious view [crossed out: on] ^over^ all [crossed out: sides] the countryside. A châlet above [crossed out: the farm] houses 15 girls who work on the farm and in the gardens. They are the healthiest, rosiest, sturdiest mortals you’ve ever seen after several months of it, tho’ all have come from invaded districts or Paris slums. I’ll send you pictures of it all some day, if ever I get any films. Did I ask you to send me some? I meant to, for no shop in Paris has my size — regular Brownie camera size which fits an Ansco folding pocket kodak.
Lacaune itself is a funny old place, rambling dirty streets, tumble-down slate-roofed houses, picturesque old carved stone windows &fountains[sic], and even more picturesque peasant costumes, especially on market days when the farmers come jogging in on their mules, arrayed in sacking.
[Written up the left side of the sheet.]

• Two solemn Boche prisoners help in the farm work, Max and another who looks exactly like the [??]. They are very good workers & eat with the farm family.
  

[page 4] It’s a great sight to see all the oxen lined up to sell and the piles of apples and potatoes heaped up before the old church.
The shop-keepers have become very friendly, and I think they’re gradually getting used to us, tho’ it will take a long time before they can quite get over the fact that we’ve deprived them of the leading feature of the place— viz. the fashionable “bains.”
A source of tepid water runs continually in our basement which is lined with a series of cabines de bain where we bathe the 80 on Sat. P.M.s. It is the greatest satisfaction in the world to be able to get them scrubbed regularly, and they love it! Later we hope to be able to use the large salle de douches, with perhaps daily cold showers when the weather is a little warmer.
[page 5] I had a letter from Douglas enclosing a piece of the wing of his conquered foe; you can imagine how thrilled I was! Never have I known anyone so blissfully happy about anything! [crossed out: and just think] He says you have probably seen accounts of my latest exploit, which was a bigger surprise to me than to anyone including the poor Boche pilot, who was fortunate enough to escape alive tho’ badly broiled by his burning machine. I was in the air only 5 minutes altogether, & the fight took place between 200 & 500 metres altitude. It is the first time in the war that evening planes have been brought down almost on the home flying field.” Imagine that! — — He must have got the cut-out letter not long ago, which pleased him hugely. He says, “I think the authors should be decorated with the Order of the Powdered Magazine for it was certainly a corker.”
[page 6] A letter from Willard came today, & I imagine he is pretty well in the thick of things, tho’ of course he couldn’t say so. He says “We will have to postpone any spree together for some time I am afraid, for our trip to the billets was interesting but scarcely decisive. For me it lasted just one day — not even long enough to get a re-supply of clothes out of my trunks. That I resent, tho’ the rest of it has been very pleasant. Of course we are back in it, for which we all rejoice, for it is no time to be on the sidelines. But it somewhat cramps one’s writing. I shouldn’t have a chance now but for the fact that it is quarter to three & I am waiting for ^some^ orders. These are long days, but they aren’t half long enough for what there is to do.” etc —
Isn’t it all hard to realize — even now —
Hugo is still driving his ambulance in Paris, as far as I know, being kept pretty busy by raids, etc. I had another word from Rusty who is deep in the installation of his hospital, but don’t ever expect to see him. It looks now as if I might be here all summer, for there is so much still to do and the various possibilities just beginning —
[page 7] You don’t want me to come home till it’s all over, do you dearest Family, for I can’t, you know — It’s hard to explain, but once here and in things any other life seems impossible till it’s all over for every one, and we all can go back again. After the war the children will go back to their homes, for practically all have at least one parent, & the Comité will gradually dissolve. So don’t think I’ll need or want to stay on [crossed out: indefinitely] ^after that^. But now that, atlast[sic.], I feel in things and able to comprehend the problems, I can’t leave. It takes so long to understand and learn how to act wisely and effectively. I’ll let you know in plenty of time about money Papa. At present, my expenses are practically nil.
Think of it’s soon being greening[?] time again! I can’t believe that a year has gone by since those days of decision after P.[for Pine?] [??] last May. And yet it seems as if there had never been another life — or rather as if life never had had any settledness & sameness.
We have a dear old resident abbé now, who gives Mass every day in our little chapel & is going to take charge of the work in the vegetable gardens. He is such a peaceful element in our rather chaotic midst, & such a joy for the Sisters. Next time I’ll tell you about some of our many &varied “ennuies” which have really been so funny!

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