Letter from Mrs. Martin CF 85
To his sister-in-law
16 January 1873.
...I am completely recovered now, the little one is also fine, she promises to be very strong, but however, I dare not count on it, I am still afraid of enteritis.
I had begun to breastfeed her, and, fearing that it would not be enough, I wanted to get help from the bottle. It went very well until Sunday, but the famous bottle spoiled everything, it was impossible to get her back to the breast. I used all the means, I let her fast, she was crying out for pity, I had to give in.
She drinks perfectly. I give him breaded water with half milk, that's all his food and I've decided not to give him any more for three or four months. When I try to get her to eat, I'll ask you to tell me what food you gave your little girls to start with.
The little one is not at all difficult during the day, but at night she often makes us pay dearly for her good day. Last night, I held it until eleven-thirty, I don't
could no longer weariness; afterwards, fortunately, she only slept.
This child is called Thérèse (She had been baptized at the Notre‑Dame d’Alençon church on January 4, under the names of Marie, Françoise, Thérèse, by Father Dumaine, vicar of the parish and who, later, was Vicar General of Séez and testified at the Beatification Process), like my youngest; everyone tells me she's beautiful, she's already smiling. I noticed it for the first time on Tuesday. I thought I was wrong, but yesterday doubt was no longer possible; she looked at me very attentively, then she gave me a delightful smile.
While I was wearing her, I noticed something that never happened to my other children: when I sang, she sang with me... I entrust it to you, no one would believe it.
