From Sister Marie‑Dosithée Guérin to Mr. and Mrs. Guérin.
July 6 (?) 1871.
(...) Here I am like a mother with my three daughters, since I now have Léonie (since about mid-June), this terrible little girl, I assure you that she does not give me little to do . It's a constant fight, so I would have liked her mother to have found a place to put her, but I see that it's me who has to carry that cross, so I'll try to muster up all my courage. Think that with this I do not like the embarrassment of children, it is completely incompatible with my character and my tastes for peace and tranquility. Finally to the will of God, it is for his glory, no matter our personal consolation; I hope however to do something good with it, with the grace of God we will get there. This child loves me a lot and it's surprising because I punish her so much, I don't spare her and it's necessary, otherwise we wouldn't do anything about it, she fears no one but me.
