Letter from Mrs. Martin CF 93
To his sister-in-law
13 April 1873.
Since the day I wrote to you, the illness has gotten worse. Marie was absorbed during the day, and at night the delirium never left her. Last night was better and today she feels much better; she told me right away that she no longer suffered anywhere; however, the weakness is so great that she has difficulty turning over in bed.
The doctor said again this morning that it was indeed typhoid fever that she had, but less serious. The Sister who cares for her assures the same, however, it is such a treacherous disease that it is unclear what it can do.
Please thank all your family for me who are so interested in my dear Marie, and don't forget me close to these ladies P. It gives me pleasure to see that so much sympathy is shown to my eldest. There are also a lot of people in Alençon who are worried about her, I am sometimes harassed by it, but despite that I am happy. As for the beautiful lady Y., who gives balls to make the whole town go round, she hasn't asked for news once!
Finally, the essential thing is that Mary recovers quickly. I begin to hope; yesterday, it was not the same; I was appalled and everyone at home was too.
From Friday to Saturday, I passed the most cruel night that one can see, it was sinister. My little patient called me in a deaf and mysterious voice to tell me things that made no sense. She said to me once: “I took a host; I go to prison, it's for the poor
prisoners, they will be so happy! She usually has one night out of two less bad, we fear for the next one. It was I who had to pass it, because I only have the Sisters every two nights, but the nun has promised to come back to me this evening; I am quite relieved.
Despite what I had written to you, in my last letter, I had my little Pauline make the sacrifice of the Easter holidays. But now I am sorry that she stayed at the Visitation, since the doctor had told me that I could bring her, that there was no danger, provided that I did not leave her. go to his sister's room.
I had forwarded this notice to Le Mans, keeping a secret hope that they would send the little one to me, but they did not want to give it yesterday to M. Romet, who would have brought it to me; it seems that the whole Convent was in such an imprudent revolution! Mr. Romet and his sister, Miss Pauline, were not of this opinion either and they did everything they could to prevent her from coming.
Me, I'm not that scared and I don't think people catch the disease so easily. If there is anyone to win it, it will certainly be me, or poor Louis, because we never leave the patient and stay on our feet whole nights near her. I am even sure that in such conditions, it takes a grace from God not to succumb. Yesterday I had a very high fever, in the afternoon, but it was the effect of fatigue, it doesn't show anymore.
Your loving sister,
