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.

Peaches in Verona and more war news

We had b’fast together. Helen boiled eggs and we had cut up peaches. Then we all went out to see something of the town.

We saw the tombs of the Scaligere and the church of Santa Anastasia. Florence spoke to an Italian and he said only 2% of money was being issued of the money one had on deposit in a bank and advised F. to go to Florence where her money is to see about it so she was for starting off at once to Florence.

She went back to hotel while I went to look at the Arena or ancient Roman theatre. Paid a franc to see it, but it was so hot and so many of the passages were closed that it was not very satisfactory – came back.

F. was having lunch and Helen and I had malted milk, cut up peaches, and crackers. We are to wait here for three days then go to Milan to look up trunks. F.H. had their trunks sent to Milan when they started for Cortina. F. was going this afternoon but was too tired to start. I lay down and read two old newspapers, July 25 and July 30, about the war situation. Then wrote up this diary. We did not go anywhere in the evening for Florence was packing. Helen and I went out to get peaches re., but were not gone long.