Packing and Feeding the Fish

I was tired and had b’fast in bed as I always do – studied my Italian – Then washed my hair – As it was drying, Helen sent word that Dr. Giglioli was here, so I put it up as well as I could, put on my wrapper and went up to H’s room. He said he thought Helen was better and would be all right in a month.

I went down and looked over my things and divided those I wanted to leave in my trunk from those I wanted to take. Worked till almost 5 – them went to Munsterman’s, the druggist’s, and met Helen and we went around and did a lot of errands.

I bought gloves and a silver spoon as I had lost my old one. Left new address at Am. Exp. Co. and found 4 letters there from Percy, Alfred, Florence Sanford and Marion. Edith is better – I am so glad.

Carried out two packages of stale bread to feed the fishes in the Boboli Gardens, but it took us so long to do our errands that the gardens were closed. I was determined not to carry the bread home so I dropped one package in the Lungarno under the arches – first looking to see that no one saw me and gave the other to an old woman with 20 centimes and I know she thought I was crazy – got lost and wandered all over everywhere trying to find the Via Tornabuoni.

Bought the Fanciulla and sent it to Duncan for his birthday. Came back tired out. Made Miss Kinney and Helen laugh till they cried over the adventure of the old woman and “il pane vecchio.”

After dinner paid my bill and then Mrs. Hubbell, Mrs. Turner, Miss Kinney and I all went into Helen’s room and had a jolly time.

??? is going to have a baby Christmas.

Presbyterian Church, Boboli Gardens, and Church of San Felice

Helen and I had breakfast in her room together – eggs and honey and a good time. Then we got dressed and went to Pres.[byterian] Church and stayed to Communion. Came home and arranged to have Miss Kinney sit at our table. She was glad to come and she is so nice we were glad to have her. Helen lay down and I finished my letter to Margaret.

Then Helen, Miss Kinney and I walked up to the Boboli gardens. We found them closed except the lower part where we found a fete going on in aid of some school. We paid 20 centimes a piece to get in and walked around the beautiful walks between hedges 20 ft. high. We saw the pretty pond full of gold fish. We sat and talked a long time.



On the way we passed a church of San Felice. We looked in and saw they were to have a procession around the church and a Te Deum and religious service at 6:30 so we stopped here on the way back and saw them light the candles on the altars and in the candelabra and saw the children standing in rows down the center each with a candle in its tiny hand. The service went on at the altar and the preparations went in the church but I had to leave to get back to dinner in time. I was very sorry because it is such a pretty sight to have the children march with their lighted candles. Helen was tired but she wouldn’t go home. She is frail but has tremendous will power.

After dinner we went into the Hubbell’s room for a few minutes and then into Miss Kinney’s to see her scarabs – the beads she bought in Egypt.

Quiet Sunday with Church, Zwieback, and Letters

Maid brought the hot water at 8. Breakfast at 8:30. I woke up feeling very tired. Had breakfast in bed. Just managed to dress slowly and to the Presbyterian Ch. I was too tired to enjoy the service. Came right back. Had bouillon, toast and an egg for lunch.

I had a pleasant conversation with an English woman, a Mrs. Moore, in the drawing room. She showed me her room for which she pays seven francs and I showed her mine and the pictures of my family that I am so proud of.

Lay down awhile and then tried to go with Helen to see the Boboli Gardens.


We got there and walked around a few minutes and then I was so tired I came back. Helen went and brought me some zwieback for supper to take the place of fresh bread. I went right to bed and had soup and zwieback and milk for supper. I had a bad attack of dyspepsia caused by getting overtired yesterday. Isn’t it stupid?

I tried to speak to Mrs. Brocknay who is traveling with Herbert Houghton but she was offish.

I finished my letter to Alfred about the furniture. Did not get to bed till midnight as I had to heat myself some hot water to drink.