From Marie Martin to Pauline. May 22, 1873.
(Alençon) Thursday, May 22, 1873
My dear little Pauline
I'm happy to be able to write you a little letter today because I know you're going to be very happy. I'll tell you that I'm cured I'm not sorry I assure you because I was very bored in bed. This morning I got up earlier than the other days because I went to mass at eight o'clock. I would have liked to go to the pavilion (a small property acquired by Mr. Martin in 1857, rue des Lavoirs, to the south of the city) but Mama thought it was too far, and I didn't go there. I look forward to your vacation, I'm so glad to see you again if you knew! We'll also have a lot of fun, we'll go by car to Thérèse's nanny, we'll pick big daisies and blueberries, it'll be fun, won't it, my little paulin! In ten days there will be great celebrations in Alençon (on the occasion of an Exhibition) for a whole week, we will see the torchlight procession, and on Sunday there will be a beautiful fireworks display in the fairgrounds. you will find yourself at that moment in Alencon and you will have a great deal of pleasure. There will also be a balloon in the square and we will go and see it.
I went to bed for a bit today after dinner, I had eaten salad and mom was worried that she would hurt me but she didn't hurt me at all. The garden is very pretty except for the circle which still only has a few geranium cuttings but in the middle is a beautiful rose bush which is in bloom, it is magnificent. There are also 2 other small moss roses in the sides but there are still only buds that will flower soon I hope.
Louise (Louise Marais, the maid, had a marked preference for Céline) curls up with little Céline every Sunday, she's all in white with pretty yellow leather ankle boots that mom bought her recently; if you saw it I'm sure [1v°] you'd find it nice to eat.
Please, my little Pauline, give my good aunt a big hug for me, tell her that I love her with all my heart and that I won't forget her. If I could I would have liked to write to him today, but you see I am already very tired of your letter, when you come to Alençon I will
I will write one as well as to my Sister M. Paula (born Albertine Cayez (8/2/1833‑5/10/1911), class mistress then Director of the boarding school from 1865 to 1875). Please tell her that I thank her very much for the indulgence she has shown for my ribbon of honour. I am very happy to have it and I will try to keep it. Thank you very much to all my good mistresses and my companions for the prayers they have made for me and for the interest they have shown me, I am very grateful, I assure you. Above all, don't forget to tell my aunt that she would like to thank Our Mother for all the kindness she has had for me. You will tell Edith (Edith de la Porte de Ste Gemme, who became Mme de Mesmay (1860-1927) companion of Marie. Pauline had Edith's sister, Geneviève de la Porte, as a companion at first communion) and Renée (?) I kiss them well as well as Berthe Chauvin (now Mrs. Fillion), thank Edith for me for the beautiful emblem she sent me and tell her that it gave me great pleasure, as well as her little letter and the one of Renée, I will write them one as soon as I can in 15 days at the most.
Also tell Mr. Morel (Marie-Louise Morel-Bignon) that I received his letter and his picture which is very nice, I will write to him at the same time as Edith. You must know the ones who sent me memories if I had to name them it would take too long please thank them for me.
Farewell my little Paulin whom I love so much, while waiting for the much desired day when we will meet again I kiss you as I love you! And you know how!
Your little sister
Mr Martin.
Thursday, May 22, 1873.
I'm writing this letter to you at half past four I'm sitting in the office I would like to go for a walk because today is Ascension Day but I know I can't because it would tire me.
