File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Thorp family, 30 October 1918 (8014bc71-e1af-413f-ba4a-c34ba1839a1f).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-006#041

Lacaune
October 30, 1918
Dearest Family,
I have a strong feeling that I didn’t write you at all last week -- Actually so busy have the days been that I have no clear memory of length of time passed –
Our new personnel is practically all here, the children in class at last, and the wheels really beginning to go round as they should. It’s worth all the “ennuis of former periods to begin to feel the wonderful satisfaction of getting the place running well at last. If I was enthusiastic before about the responsibility and manifold interest of it, I’m about ten times more so now, for the feeling of being really “chef” to give orders directly, instead of through another medium, in a thing one cares so tremendously about is without equal. And the joy of it is that the responsibility isn’t terrifying, -- simply soul-filling.
The new personnel is turning out so well. We have two splendid
[Written up the left side and across the top of this first page:] Papa, you can’t imagine how I love the island pictured[sic]! They’re all round my room, & never have I known pictures to so bring the feel of the air and smell of the sea It makes me [??] [?] every time I look at them.
[Written up the right side of the sheet:] I’ve heard from Calvert at last. [page 2] teachers, for the older group, a nice little one and Miss Valentine for the younger ones, and various young surveillantes, sewing-girls, kitchen-helpers, the “Econome”, scrub–and–wash--women, gardener and wood-choppers, cobbler and (next week) a reformé carpenter for the apprentices.
Working out schedules, dove-tailing all the work of the house, planning for extra events (such as the coming of the curé to measure souls or the sabotier to measure feet--) (I hope you realize that I refrained from the pun) are as fascinating as a picture-puzzle, especially when half of the personnel come down with the grippe at the same moment.
Luckily we’ve been spared as yet any serious cases. How strange that it’s rampant at home too. In France it’s been frightful, and from your accounts it must be equally bad. [but?] it a hideous[?] pest.
Somehow it seems too cruel to have it descend upon the country just as they were beginning to be able to rejoice. The Sisters believe it is the main de Dieu descending to adjust the balance, as it has been [page 3] mainly women who’ve died of it
The good air of Lacaune keeps us all well, and never have I known more glorious autumn days!  ? Would that you could see the boys scattered all over the huge meadow, blue aprons and deeper blue “pantalons américains” [in/or?] overalls, diving[?] into golden masses of fallen leaves, [or?] tearing madly about in exciting games of basketball and football! I start out for a peaceful Sunday morning of accounts and get caught in a basketball game which we play all over the old tennis-court, dodging life-size trenches (dug by the boys! just out of bounds. My “grands” are so fine. I have three of the nicest “Sergents” in the world who dirigent the younger ones à merveil[?]. Every Sunday p.m. we have a council meeting with hot chocolate by the fire in my chalet. I wish you could hear their adorable seriousness and all the ideas for betterment of[?] that[?] they have. The Sergent Chef wears a gold gallon on his sleeve, and the others decoration, red, white & blue ribbons. They are responsible for the [page 4] order in their dormitories, chapel and refectoire, Pierre the chef starting things with a coup de sifflet and marshalling them en rang. I wish I could tell you how adorable he is -- His father is Italian and his mother French, perfectly humble souls. But Pierre -- well, I can honestly say without exaggeration that never have I known a more fascinating boy. He is almost too serious minded, taking his responsibilities over-conscientiously, acutely sensitive but endowed also with a rare humor[?] and charm which are absolutely irresistible -- Goodness, how the kids would love him! His aide and general gendarme of the colony, rounding up strayers, is a big Alsatian [crossed out: rather] bluff and hearty, rather wild and breezy as so many of our Alsatian boys are, but awfully good[?] fun and on the job where given responsibility.
We have so many disciplinary problems, exaggerated weaknesses which can almost all be traced to the life that’s been inflicted on them and the examples they’ve seen [page 5] these last four years “là-bas” – such as wanton destruction, stealing (often with a view to furnish the poor battered home when they return) lying, etc. It’s no[?] [??]. Yesterday we had to douche an 11 year old who was perfectly wild with rage. He’s a most pathetic sort, not quite all there (we have many such) possessed of a demon spirit at moments and pitifully affectionate at others. If one only had the time and chance for special attention to all such who need it so badly –
The more I know and love them the less can I bear the thought that you don’t know them too, to [crossed out: know[?]] feel what it means to have such a family to “raise up” for France -- They are being taken back by rejoicing parents in bushels these days, and soon there won’t be any left save the vrais orphelins. We have five such.
The end feels really near these days, and people are smiling -- If it only may be for Christmas --
-- A heartful of love from your lovingest
Bun

• Keywords: long archives; henry w. longfellow family papers (long 27930); erica (thorp) de berry; document; correspondence; school; education; subject; europe; france; lacaune; places; health and illness; Erica Thorp deBerry Papers (1006/004.006); (LONG-SeriesName); Outgoing (1006/004.006.002); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1918 (1006/004.006.002-006); (LONG-FileUnitName)