Letter from Mrs. Martin to her brother Isidore CF 8
16 may 1864.
You tell me that the aunt from Paris (Mrs. Ambroise Guérin, sister-in-law of M. Guérin senior) is to come this week, that gives us all the greatest pleasure and we are looking forward to it. Mary just talks about it. She asks me if we'll lay the tablecloth, if we'll eat cakes, if we'll drink wine and liquor; all this interests him very much.
You tell me that she will only spend a day with us; we'll see that when she's here. I want her to stay longer. But if you could persuade her not to come until next week, I would be very happy for the following reason: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday is Ember Day fast. You know that Louis is a rigorous observer of the Commandments of the Church, he would neither fat nor not fast for an empire and I doubt that my aunt is so faithful to her duty. When MD came this Lent, you couldn't believe how embarrassed we were. Louis was fasting alone, since I find myself dispensed from it for the moment; he watched us eat good things while he only had his light snack. And it was necessary to give only lean. So, try to arrange it for next week and tell us the day and time, we will go and wait for the good aunt at the station.
My father has almost decided to go and spend a few days in Paris, I think he will go away with my aunt.
I don't know anything new in Alencon. I reckon you'll have a little nephew—or niece—for the month of October; this baby will go to nurse, alas! since I can no longer feed myself. At the grace of God.
Little Léonie is not growing well; she doesn't seem to want to walk. She is fat and tall as nothing, without being crippled, however; it is only very weak and very small. She has just had measles from which she was very ill, with very strong convulsions.
Pauline is still the same. She is very funny and very mischievous. I'm thinking of driving it to Le Mans tomorrow to see my sister. Marie won't come, I've had enough of one tormenting me! The other day, I was celebrating the month of Mary with her and I told her to pray to God for you; she interrupted her prayer crying, she wanted to see her "uncle!" »
