Sightseeing in Milan -- thinking about whether to leave

Slept very well. Had b’fast in bed and had a good time studying the Italian adverbs. It must be the reason they are so unstable, they have so many adverbs to slip around in – a great many mean the same thing.

Mended my white skirt where it reamed out. It was after eleven before I was ready to go out. We went to Cook’s. No letter – to Am. Express Co. – no letter – then back to Cook’s to see if there were a telegram; found a letter from F.B.H. saying she was all right and going to the Crochini.

Went to Am. Consul’s. No news. Saw an assistant who said don’t be frightened and don’t get into that horrid crowd of frightened Americans. If you have money, stay over and enjoy yourselves. We bought some peaches and came home and had lunch. Then lay down; I had a fine nap. Went to Cook’s and found that the trunks were all right, did not have to be opened.

Then we took a train ride to Sempione. We went by Napoleon’s arch and by a beautiful park. Got back in time for dinner. The brother was there. The two sisters and the brother drank two big bottles of red wine. The dinner was very nice – vegetable soup, string beans, chicken with browned potatotes – cheese and peaches – about two francs.

Then I took a lesson in reading the Italian papers. They do not seem like real news, but like reading a history. I hope the Germans and Austrians are thoroughly beaten. I detest them.

Sightseeing in Milan

I slept well and feel better, but my back still aches. Had b’fast in bed and then my bath. Studied Italian grammar hard for an hour. Helen went out and came back about one. She got 200 lire in her letter of credit at the Bianco Cos??? No letter at Thomas Cook and Sons from Florence. She went to the consul’s and had the error in the date of her registration certificate changed. He had written it to expire at once. Helen said it was posted in Am. consul’s office steerage passage to America $150.

She went out a second time to get milk and rolls and we had lunch in my room. It cost us each nine cents – milk, an egg, rolls, cake, no fruit. We have the greatest time over our money. We settle up every night before we go to bed and often two or three times a day – one pays for the other, or buys food re. – Lunch was not over till after three. Then we both lay down.

We went out about 5.30, went to the Piazza del Duomo and took a car no. 10 and rode to the end and back and then we were looking for a restaurant that Miss Betham told us about and lo! There was Dr. Giglioli, jolly, nice as ever – asked about Florence and admired our going to a cooler place – Said he thought Italy would remain neutral – Said he thought this war was all the fault of Germany – that England would beat Germany on the sea – that Germany would beat France on land and that Russia would eventually beat Germany and Austria for she was the only great nation that raised all her own food. –

Dr. G took us to a quiet restaurant where he goes and Helen and I sat out of doors and had a quiet dinner. Then we sat awhile and I tried to read an Italian newspaper. Then we walked about and at nine sat in front of the caffé Biffe and listened to the music for an hour and had an ice. Met the Misses Betham coming back – we chatted for a while upstairs. We are to have dinner with them tomorrow.

Verona to Milan

Got up at 6. Finished packing – had b’fast at 7.15. We got off at 7.40 and rode to station. We had seats by the window 3rd class. There were two sailors from the Lake of Garda near us. I got talking with them and one of them showed me his wife and babies’ pictures. I had a great time trying to tell them how we ate corn ??? in America.

We had several different traveling companions on our way to Milan which we reached about 12.20. Left our things in deposits and started in a tram for Cooks’ – no letters there, then went and got a simple lunch - 25 cts. a piece in a 3rd class place, but we have to be economical.

Then looked up the first pension given in Baedeker. Miss Betham Via Brera 5. They had closed their pension and were going away when the war broke out – now they don’t know what to do. At first they – two sisters – said they couldn’t take us, but finally said they could for 3 fr. 1 ½ apiece room and caffé latté in the morning – we didn’t decide to take them and went to the consul where Helen got a certificate of citizenship.

The consul had just arrived from America. He said not to be afraid and to get what pleasure you could and no need yet for people to go home. An Italian company is sending vessels back and asking $100 for steerage. A battleship has sailed from U.S. with $2,000,000 in gold for Americans.

Then we posted two postals to Florence in Firenze and went to Bella Venezia hotel where they wanted 11 frs. a day for pension –so then we came back to Via Brera 5, took the rooms and left our things there. Then went to station on tram and got our things and Helen rode back with them. She wanted me to, but I felt tired and cross and wouldn’t. Found Helen here when I got in. I was so dead tired and my back ached so I went right to bed. Helen came in and heated the milk and I had hot bread, milk for supper. Helen had malted milk, rolls and peaches. I slept very well indeed.