Your parcels are about to be delivered: we are thrilled! You are awfully
sweet to have gone into so much trouble on our account, but nevertheless we are
overjoyed.
The 2nd death in the Camp occurred yesterday, when Mrs Barton, Senior,
died following a stroke. She was 73. It was then rumoured that the Catholic body
were concerned regarding the lying-in state of the Belgian Sister who was expected
to die from high blood pressure. She died this morning at 11 a.m. I wonder how the
funeral services etc. will be slated for.
Yesterday and the day before it was over 9Iº in the rooms, and night was
unbelievably hot. Simply too hot to sleep - nor we did.
Since last Monday, there has been talk of the Catholic priests & nuns leaving
for Peking where they are to be interned. Apparently this time the Japanese are
endeavouring to "clinch the deal”. Having promised amongst other things a bag of
cheap flour per head - but the missions are expected to pay for their own fare $35. -
Somehow I feel that this won’t come off now in the light of the rapid turn events.
We are wondering where Musso can be nursing his ill health!!
We are looking forward very much to opening your parcels, but
unfortunately we will not be able to send any acknowledgement until the 9th.
The 3 parcels of biscuits arrived, unfortunately they are practically
pulverised. However I managed to secure some swole gingernuts which were
delicious.
Many, many thanks.
Today another rumour, that following on the rumour of yesterday when a
2nd landing was made in Holland, the Japanese went to the Dutch Fathers and
asked for the map of Holland! If it’s true, gave the game away! They denied ever
possessing such a thing.
Yesterday I signed for another parcel from you - I am thrilled - especially to
get the shoes. I, and the children are wearing out our shoes at a terrific speed.
Christine’s first birthday was a success despite that she was unwell. Mr &
Mrs Henning, Mr & Mrs Jamieson, Bill Chilton, Father Ziggeghorn and ourselves
(including the Robbies of course) Michael & Meta. Elsie Henning gave a lovely
chocolate cum white icing & I candle birthday cake. We had ice cream, Father
Fossion made a pineapple tart, we had 6 tins of fruit. Tomato & liver paste
sandwiches so all told we had a feast. Later I took a slice of birthday cake each to
the Dreggs children & Marjorie. I don't know whether the Dreggs appreciated the
gesture, but Daisy did.
Christine’s birthday presents were a knitted doll, a pair of socks from Elsie
and a pink frock from Emma. The Allan children have Dysentery so couldn’t come
Christine wore the frock you gave her, which she christened it her birthday
dress. I tied up the long ends of her hair off her face, and the bunch of hair stuck up
in the manner Chinese babies do.
Have just heard that Catanis & Onel have fallen; this was supposed to have
come from the Japanese - a sign of the times(?) their gloating over their now- once
friendly nations’ defeats.
It is extremely hot tonight, despite it being the 3rd Autumn day.
Mrs Ernest Clay and I were hostesses at the Homes Committee yesterday,
and I got 2 bread loaf doughs for Mrs Clay to make into Swedish rings. With
cinnamon, raisins, nuts, & a little peanut oil, they were delicious. I must get her
recipe. We were much congratulated upon, the Americans are sweet, and although
they are inclined to lay praises on thick, these are palatable and pleasant when
living is so strenuous.
Mrs Hubbard is a dear.
She has go and if 75% of American women are like
her it is not astonishing that they have so much to say in their government
We have another impending death. Father Nic Dames was operated on for
ulcerated liver last night, but when the abdomen was opened it was found to be in
the last stages of cancer, so it was sewn up again and he was given 2 months.
However he seems to be sinking fast and they have been expecting him to die all
day, but by evening despite the bishop and all priests, his heart was still beating
strongly. And at 9 or so Dennis Carter came back with the news that he had
another 2 hours and that many people were standing about outside awaiting the
flight of his soul.
Robbie says that he is not kept under morphine as there is a hope - a slight
one. Apparently when he was a medical student a similar operation was performed
and the patient given up for imminent death. Five years later the same man came to
the clinic for an iron tonic - for some unknown reason the cancer retrogressed until,
presumably, it disappeared. So there is hope.
The Catholic Sisters & Fathers are definitely leaving us - in 2 batches - on
the 16th and the 23rd. We are all heavy hearted.
Whilst I was extracting nails out of Braban’s packing case, a guard came
along and asked me if I was packing up. Naturally I denied it and told him it was a
parcel from Tongshan. But he wanted to know if my baggage were made. No,
why, replied I All Americans are going soon. “I am not American." what are
you?" "British" "Ah, so, then you will go soon after the Americans
So there.
I am mentally weary. All these fresh rumours are kind of unsettling and
require self determination.
Father Dames is dead and will be buried tomorrow. God bless him!
The Catholic Fathers’ & Sisters’ bedding have gone - in trunks & lorries.
My heart sinks. Gay is extremely unhappy it is indeed "partir c'est mourir un peu".
The poor child is like a person demented:
The Dutch Fathers don’t go until the 23 rd.
There is much excitement as the camp commandant has sent for Father
Hermes Pulen (?), and gave him the name of 6 American Fathers who must stay as
they are being repatriated. So evacuation is on the boards again.
Stan Avery was conveyed to the hospital in a sedan chair.
He was frightfully
embarrassed.
The procession was quite humorous 1st Dallimorre, then Stan
chaired, then Eileen with pillow & sheets. Dysentery seems to have broken out and
right & left people are becoming ill.
I am simply exhausted from the mental strain of parting. On Saturday night
we have had a little dinner for Bishop Pinger, Father Foffel(?), Sid’s chief on the
bakery shift, Father Ziggenhorn & Father Hein. We and the Robinsons had baked
tomato beans and beef, potato mayonnaise, asparagus & sauce vinaigrette, corn
flour mould & pineapple & coffee. Considering the conditions, I think we did very
well - I was complimented upon the tomato beans - it was tasty.
On Sunday night the dining room gave a special dinner. Dr Connsly(?), was
host at a table comprising of 5 bishops,4 male superiors & 8 lady superiors, an
honour I don't think he has ever or will ever have again. He read the letter which he
addressed one each at his table. It was extremely well worded and truly worthy of a
Christian gentleman. Bishop Pinger replied and among other things he said that
when he and his colleagues came to Weihsien, they never expected to leave it with
regrets - Mr J. Webb, Labour Manager, said a few words and then sing Father
O’Flynn. Then "God bless our Weihsien friends" to the tune of God Bless America
-It was grand.
This morning we said good-bye tearfully to 220 of them. Next Sunday it will
be the rest all but 18 sisters and 16 fathers.
Sister Frances tells me that she was told when she became tear-stained at the
parting to go on to her 1st mission that "there will be no partings in heaven. But,
said she, there have been so many already!!"
Father Heier, was the children's favourite and Gay hero worshipped him. He
went into the seminary at 11, and although he had a large family, 3 brothers & 4
sisters, he never had the enjoyment of them, and these 5 months he has he had a
belated taste of what it would have been like. He left with tears in his eyes.
On Saturday, 2Ist Preston Lee received word from his wife that you are
expecting a baby. Bully for you, whether it was planned or not, I think you will be
pleased with your efforts.
Coralie had a little girl, I saw Arthur today and he says that both are doing
grandly.
Meta was in hospital for a week with dysentery, she is now out and looking
fit, although a little bigger.
The balance of the sisters & fathers left yesterday morning. With them went
Sister Sophie, Superior of the Order of the Precious Blood, and Peter’s special
teacher. They are mutually attached and she has given him a picture of her own for
a keepsake. She is of German ancestors and so kind. Father Ziggenhorn went too.
Wendy is down with dysentery. This nasty disease made its appearance with
the arrival of blue bottles, and the latter are terrible.
Many rumours about. Heard Italy had signed on the dotted line on or after
the 19th July; that the Italian fleet is in Gibralter; that the Americans are leaving
here to be in Shai to sail on 2/9/43; that the British are going to Peking;
Heard of the death of Marcelle Masillon, of infantile paralysis. Poor parents.
The Swiss consul came yesterday, and he hadn’t been here 10 minutes, when
the wildest rumours began to circulate. One yarn being, that he was supposed to
have imparted some information whilst his host was absent for a few minutes The
questioner John S. was told that Italy was practically finished. But as Eg. was
about to explain what he meant, his host walked in and put a full stop to the topic.
Apparently news is marvellous and events are moving so rapidly, one can't keep up
with them.
Apparently 2 destroyers were shelling a Sicilian port. They shelled until no
reply was forthcoming the commander of one vessel went ashore & there to his
astonishment was met by the mayor of the city who gave him the keys of the city,
as well as 35 bouquets of flowers. It is felt that Italy wants to end all this.
Peter went down with dysentery yesterday. Robbie started him on a course
of sulphaguaraline at 5p.m. The effects are supposed to be felt after 24hrs. He is
already better today.
The Norman Dallases & the Shocurachers came from Peking this morning.
Haven’t seen them yet, but they are credited with some of the news.
I can’t write any more as there is too much pandemonium.
Haven’t seen them yet, but they are credited with some of the news.