From Sister Marie-Dosithée to Mme Martin, Marie and Pauline, September 20, 1872
...(2r°) did not care about this practice (According to the context, it is a question of a laundress from Le Mans, on whom Mrs. Martin was counting to wash the laundry of her two boarding daughters) the laundry had to be brought to her and when you weren't carrying it, it stayed around: if I had known that earlier, I wouldn't have suffered it so long. Last winter, Marie had to wear a shirt for 15 days and when, during the very hot month of July, someone again came to tell me that Marie was not going to be able to change her shirt, I could never resign myself to it and I prayed for him to take one of his nightgowns, so our Sisters were kind enough to wash his nightgown for him on Saturday afternoon. So the laundress of the boarding school is willing to take care of laundering them (the laundry that doesn't need to be repaired, well like the other and it will be much more convenient).
And you, my dear little girls, you are very happy: 8 more long vacation days (the start of the school year scheduled for October 2, was postponed to 9 because of repairs at the boarding school),
enjoy it and when you get back you will be working actively. Your little letters gave me great pleasure, but nevertheless I see that you are still bickering. How wrong you are, my children! If you wanted to, my poor Marie, that wouldn't have happened, but you have to admit that you don't make enough effort to correct yourself, you can't suffer anything without saying something unpleasant or reporting everything [2v°]. This is not good. If you knew, my dear little one, the consolation I would have if you wanted to correct yourself, you can if you want, get it for me; soon my dear child my career will be over, and if you knew how little life is, I still seem to see myself at the age where you are now with my Father, my Mother and my sister who is now your mother, well it seems like a dream and this dream will end soon, alas the longest lives are only that; perhaps my dear child you will be called before me to give an account of your works, so make sure that they are good and if you do not work now that you are young to correct yourself, you will not do it later.
You asked me, my dear little ones, who were your mistresses? but they are the same. there is only my sister M. Gertrude (Sister Marie-Gertrude Bigot (1838‑1919) of
changed. You will have many more companions this year. We'll have to put them in a third dormitory.
This good Sr Jeanne de Chantal was very ill, she received the last sacraments, now she is much better, but we do not believe that she can be cured, she will be ill for a long time. I kiss you as well as your mother and all the family.
Sr. M. Dosithee Guérin
From the Von Ste Marie
DSB
You'll have to charge the old laundress, there was a packing envelope which I believe is hers, you'll see if it's not yours.
