War News, Money Difficulties, Shopping,

Bought 8 postals and wrote to all the family saying we were to sail on White Star Line “Canopic” Sept. 10th and mailed them. Hope they will go out on the Re d’Italia Aug. 31st.

Did not leave house until 11.15, then with my feather over to the little milliner. Then met Mrs. [blank] on the Ponte Vecchio. We waited a while for Helen and while waiting she introduced me to an Italian who has a jewelry store in Boston. He hates the climate and wants to return. He says times are terribly hard in the U.S. on account of politics.

Then we went to see the lace. She said she would bring it to show Florence at one. Met Helen and went to the Pia sisters and looked at waists. Brought one back to show Florence – afterwards went back and ordered two for 12 fr. each. Mrs. [blank] came and I bought the collar and ordered cuffs to match. F.T.H. brought one home and letters from home. It was such a treat. She had one from Marion.* She had sent her $500.

Hazel and Percy had cabled me $250 – July 31st and I had never been notified. I went right around to French Lemon & Co. – the clerk said it had not been sent to them but to a bank and they had sent to F.L. and Co. for my address and it had been given in Milan – but I never heard of the money. He did not remember what bank it was in. Went to Banca Commerciale – They did not know of the money – said if I did not need it to let it alone and it would be returned to the sender. Helen got her steamer reservation and paid deposit. Saw Mrs. Addison – she has her bank and is all right for money.

Went to tailor’s for samples was measured for suit. Met Helen going back and I took F’s prescriptions over to the druggists. They cost $1.00 – went into 48 centime store. Coming back looked into Cook’s and saw Helen. Waited 15 minutes for her to come out. Florence felt so badly she did not go to dinner. Her face all swollen from the toothache.

After dinner sat with her till 10.30. She and Helen read the paper while I sewed on the boudoir cap. Mrs. Addison said she heard that perhaps neither the Canopic not the French boat – Sant’Anna – for the 14th would sail. They say the Germans have sown the ocean with fire mines. It is dangerous to go or stay. Bought 2 N.Y. Heralds.

There was a great ringing of the Duomo bell. The signora said it was on account of the Pope’s death. Big service tomorrow. Everything is very cheap and there are wonderful bargains but no money. Big demonstrations somewhere tonight. We were too tired to go. A note from Penelope. She goes home steerage.