Shopping and Searching for Money

Something I ate disagreed with me and I have felt badly all day. The dressmaker came and tried on my dress. It is very pretty and I like it very much. Gave her the stuff to make a cover for my rug. F.B.H. thought she had left her keys at the Montebello so she went there – later found them under her bed. Mrs. Zupponi came and we went to French, Lemon & Co. Could get no satisfaction about my check – they said they knew nothing about it. No news at the Consul’s. Then met F.B.H. at Cook’s and went to bank Credito Italiano where it was arranged to pay tailor and Dr. Giglioli and the balance sent to North America later on. Then we went through the showrooms of the Signa terracotta.* It is wonderful what they can do. We went to Banca d’Italia and Florence drew out 500 lire – her money from Washington – but no trace of my money. Mrs. Zupponi is coming here tomorrow to take tea.

Florence fortunately remembered the name of the manager of French Lemon and Co. – a Mr. Ayres. She used to know him as he and his wife were friends of Rose Clark. I went to F.L. & Co. but Mr. A. was out, so went home and came again at 3. He said he knew nothing about it and could find no trace of it – said it was safe and the money would be returned to Percy where he mailed it. It is in Italy but they had no word from any bank. Came back at 5. F.B.H. And I went to tailor’s to have suits tried on. They were all right – went around to see about a waist for Florence to go with her new suit. Then to Settipasse’s where I am to have my lava head set for $7 – then on to Pia’s house where they tried on my two waists and can alter them all right. Then home. Florence found she had left her purse at Pia’s with 17 francs in it. I had toast and milk for lunch – soup and toast for supper – felt better.

The Germans are not in Paris yet. They are acting like savages.

*Manifattura Di Signa produced copies of antiquities and renaissance models in terracotta from the late 19th Century. The company had outlets in Florence, Rome and Turin and catered for wealthy patrons doing the Grand Tour of Italy.

Money, Tickets Home, Dressmakers, and Visiting

Dr. Giglioli was coming at 8.30 to see Florence and Helen but he did not come. Florence had to leave as she had an engagement to meet the lady and get the tickets so she went – got the tickets which they found were an upper and lower in an inside state room on the 4th deck for which we pay $105 in gold. In the meantime the dressmaker had come with my dress and Dr. Giglioli came. He was thunder struck when he found we were going home. Florence came in in time to see him and also to see my dress. Then we went to Cateria’s* and Helen ordered a very striking suit. Then I bought the silk for my girdle – the same stuff exactly as we could not match the color. F.B.H. also bought the lace for my sleeves.

After lunch we lay down and then we got dressed and went to Mrs. Zupponi’s, the one who is going to let Florence have 300 lire and get her pay out of the money in the bank. We had a lovely tea party in the little apartment, delicious peaches and bread and butter and cake. It was very nice and pleasant. Helen had to go back about her ticket but F. and I stayed till 6 – looking at the postals of the different places where she had been – it was most interesting. We stopped at a couple of stores on the way back and looked at waists. An eccentric American, a Mrs. Echardt, came to call on Helen and stayed almost all the evening. She was very bright and very funny.

Poor Florence had an ulcerated back. I sat up till after twelve heating hot water for a bottle and reading aloud the news from an old American newspaper. Did not sleep well.

*Possibly spelled “Catana’s” or “Caterina’s”. See September 2nd.

Getting Ready to Leave Milan

Helen went off early to see Dr. Giglioli but missed him. Then she went to Am. Consul’s who advised her to go to America, said he would go tomorrow with his family if his duty did not require him to remain here. Said he thought Italy would go to war after the election of the Pope and that there would be riots re. Helen was there when the telegram was received which telegram I have copied on another page and then she went to the bank and drew some money.

I got started about 10.30 and went up on the roof of the Duomo. It was most wonderful. I did not go up to the highest part because it was not clear and I knew I could not see far off. I actually got lost wandering about the roofs. Saw the statues of Adam and Eve.

Came home and had lunch. Then Helen and I started right off for Cooks to get our tickets and to see about our trunks. On the way I stopped at the Bank Commerciale, but they would not cash my check. Said they would write to Florence and see if it were all right. So of course I wouldn’t leave. We bought 2nd class tickets - 29.75 almost $6. Went to the station and registered the trunks, then went to P.O. and sent them express to F.B.H. Went up to Duomo and I bought some fruit for tomorrow and some post-cards and a paper. The Germans are advancing on the French frontier. Came back and began to pack. It is 7.15 P.M. now. Bought a piece of water melon. FINE. Dr. Giglioli came while we were at dinner. He was very jolly and said it was being around with me that gave Helen hot flashes. Spent the evening packing. All packed before I went to bed.

Sightseeing in Old Siena

Dressed somewhat earlier so as to go with Helen and Miss Jeannerett. We went through the oldest part of Siena – Via Castel Vecchio re to the Porta San Marco. We visited three churches en route – The Oratory of St. Mary of the Snow – and the Convento del Carmine and I do not remember the other – nothing of especial interest. We saw an old woman making twine out of flax. – We watched her a few minutes and then I gave her two cents – Lay down a few minutes before lunch. Slept 1 ½ hours after lunch – then changed my dress and started in to study. Wrote two exercises when Helen came in from her call on Miss Haskell and we talked over plans. She hates to go to Florence, but I want her to go to see Dr. Giglioli for I think he can help her and she needs help.

I had an interesting lesson with Signorina Orlandi – and I am learning with her.
At dinner I talked to the gentleman who sat next to me – in school girl French and worse Italian and convulsed the English speaking crowd. I heard afterwards that he was a count. He speaks French and German, of course Italian, understands English, but cannot speak it. After dinner Mrs. Clement, Miss Jeannerett, Mrs. Oudesluys, Helen and I sat in the parlor chatting. Mrs. Clement and her daughter go tomorrow. Helen is packed but does not know whether to go or not. She wants to see Florence’s letter. She dreads going alone – but it is only a two hour ride.

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.

Italian lesson, Doctors' Visits, and San Lorenzo

I read Margaret's dear letter over before breakfast and then studied the Italian as usual. It seems as if I could never get the pronunciation.

I went in to assure Helen that I was ready when the doctor came – then came back to pick up my room. At eleven I went in with the new sack that Helen had given me to crochet – that was half-finished and waited until he came. He gave her a thorough examination and said there was nothing organically wrong but that she needed building up and rest and gave a tonic re and Sanotogen.*

Helen came to lunch. Afterwards we went to Dr. Giglioli’s** where I met Florence. There were several ahead of her – finally we walked to the Bargello and were amazed to be told that there were only ten minutes before the closing hour – so we went to San Lorenzo and saw the tombs of the Medici. The inlaid arms of the different cities of Tuscany in marble mosaic were wonderfully beautiful.



We stayed in the chapels and church till nearly six and then went down to the Duomo – where Florence caught the car for Le Lune. I walked back and bought some blue cornflowers for Helen and myself.

I wrote a note to the new pension Flora in Siena***wishing to go there next Friday at 6 frs. And posted it before dinner. Mr. Agnew – a young architect from Duluth – came and stayed an hour in Helen’s room chatting. He is very nice. I told him about Dr. Grazzini’s place. I went to my room to write, but came in and I was tired and just read a paper and went to bed.

*Sanotogen was made as a tonic wine or a protein supplement.
**The 1913 Baedecker mentions a Dr. Giglioli in Florence, Via Ferruccio 5 (speaks English);
***Probably located at Passeggio della Lizza 5