Letter from Mrs. Martin CF 99
To his daughter Pauline
Mai 1873.
My dear Pauline,
Marie was much better on Monday and Tuesday, but yesterday, Wednesday, she had a bad day and a new fever.
This night was very good; I only got up once to give him a drink. She no longer has a headache and is almost no longer deaf; the doctor found her really better; I believe she is on the mend.
She is bored to death to always be in bed and especially regrets her compositions and the prizes she will lose. To console her, I tell her that I'll buy her some books, but that doesn't suit her, it's not mine she wants!
I'm trying in every way to cheer him up. Tuesday evening, I listed everything she would do when she was cured, she liked it very much, but I had the misfortune to say: “You will be much happier than Pauline. At the same time, she covered her face with her blanket and started sobbing. I could no longer comfort her; as soon as she thinks of you, it's like that...
She has been tormenting us all day long, to get me to send you your hat; I didn't find it very useful, but, to please him, I had Miss Pauline Romet ask if she could take it on for you. When you have received it, write to Marie that you are very happy with it. I hope now that she will get better and better; if I could have my little Pauline at the end of May, I would be very happy.
Céline is having a great time seeing you, she talks about it every day and says she wants to be at the table next to you; she sings pretty little songs that Miss Philomene teaches her; she is very intelligent, she learned all her letters in a fortnight and she would know how to read now if Marie had not been ill. But, for five weeks,
I didn't have it spelled once; however, she likes it and often fetches her book.
Tell your aunt that I don't have time to write to her, because today is Thursday and I have a lot of work. All morning I have to take care of Marie and receive my workers.
Farewell, my dear Pauline, I embrace you with all my heart.
