Letter from Mrs. Martin CF 95
To his daughter Pauline
April 1873.
. . . Mary only talks about you; if she says two words, there is one for her "little Paulin"; every moment she asks me what time it is, then she tells me what you are doing.
She was so happy with your little letter, that she sang this morning. We thought she was cured, but unfortunately not, the fever is still going on and we don't know exactly when it will end. This illness is very long and my poor Marie needs a great deal of patience: she eats nothing, only drinks broth for two hours in two hours. The doctor having allowed her to take vermicelli, I made it for her, but she could not eat it. Your father went to catch her some fish, she really wanted to, but could only taste a bite; Basically, I was happy about it, because I was afraid it would hurt him.
I am very distressed to see my Marie so long ill and then also to be deprived of my little Pauline, because I don't think you can come for three or four weeks. But, take heart, four weeks has passed quickly, and then we will all be so happy. Your father is very pleased with you, he says you are very reasonable.
Marie recommends that you take all the letters that are in her box from the second class and give them to your aunt; and also to cover his atlas, put it in your box and take the greatest care of it, as well as the portraits which are in his style notebooks. She still wants you to use her notebook to write down your expenses, but nothing else. She asks for her "frivolity" cotton (lace made with small shuttles), and her crochet hook; you will send it to me by M. Romet. Finally, she wants me to tell you that tomorrow they will make you a beautiful black hat, trimmed with a watered ribbon and a fine feather.
Here, I believe, are all his commissions done. But no, she still wants me to ask you if you still have the same place in the refectory and in the dormitory? I'm next to her while I write to you, she always has something to tell you! However, we must end it. . . If I listened to it, I would write all night!
Farewell, my little Paulin, see you soon
