Milan: Church, Sightseeing, and Ice Cream at Biffi's

I went to the English church where we had the lay service as we did last Sunday. It was a pleasant – helpful service. Coming home, I saw them throwing their dogs into the canal to wash them and to see them swim. Then I went into San Marco where the columns were covered with red brocade. Got twisted about direction and had to inquire.

Helen stayed at home to write letters. She went out and bought the materials for our simple lunch. Afterwards I lay down an hour or so and had a nap. Then Helen and I walked out to the Castello and walked through the courts re.- We were going to the church of San Ambrosio, but I wanted to go home.

About six we started out to go up on the roof – but it was too late, so then we took No. 10 car and went to the Arena and saw the Torres , but we could not go up because there was no one in charge. So we walked home which took us longer than we had expected so we were late to dinner, but they were very nice about it. We had a nice dinner. About 8.30 Helen and I went to the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle where we walked up and down and finally went to Biffi’s* where we had some ice cream. Came back about 10.30.

Received a telegram from Florence with the one word “come”. Also two postals today from her and one from F.T.S. who was just starting off with Tommy, Alfred and the Harris’ into the Cascade Mts. – and a postal from Margaret who was on a four day walking trip with Margie and Katherine, Will and Margaret and Billie Irins**. She said Baby Florence was all right and that Duncan’s arm was doing well.

*See entry for August 11th.
** F.T.S. – Florence Thurston Sanford, Jennie’s daughter; Tommy -Tommy Sanford; Alfred-her son; Margie and Katherine - sisters of Will [William Northrup Morse]; Florence and Duncan are Margaret and Will’s children, 1 and 4 years old.

Milan: Pope's Funeral. Last Minute Sightseeing, and Consula Notice

Helen and I went to the Duomo to the service in honor of the dead Pope. The church was draped in black – the music was fine. Cardinal [blank] was there and preached from a pulpit hung with red. There was a large crowd. We stood on chairs for over an hour then left while the cardinal was preaching.

Went to Thomas Cooks, found out about trains. We shall have to leave at 7 A.M. and go 2nd class as the next train does not start till 1.15 for change at Boulogne [Bologna] and do not get in till nearly or after midnight – so many trains have been taken off. We paid for the trunks Helen’s and Florence’s and ordered them sent to the station at S.P.W. Monday. Then it will cost us 29 + for 2nd class as against 19+ 3rd class. Went to White Star office. They offer Canopic at 475 lire first class four in an outside room. 52 pounds for two in a room.

We had our usual lunch and started out to find Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. It was beautiful. Then we looked around the cloisters and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie* and walked to the Castello**. We did not go into it for it began to thunder and we hurried home and got in just as it began to pour.

Found in coming back a notice to Americans about transportation from Genoa. I got mad at Helen over it and jumped at her three times and stamped my foot and acted like a crazy fool and she behaved very well. I was tired and I think the succession of thunderstorms (one almost every day) got on my nerves. Made 3 copies of the consular notice and sent one to Mrs. Oudesluys in Cortina and one to Mrs. Tanner in Lauerine and one “express” to Florence in Florence to see if it might change her plans and asked her to telegraph answer. Helen and I went way to the post office to mail it.

*Famous church in Milan which is the location of the Last Supper.
**Castello Sforzesco - a Renaissance castle in Milan with large art holdings.