| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, Chambéry, France, to her relatives, regarding unexpected stay at Chambéry; talk with M. Boyer after church on Sunday (a 'dotty man'); she thinks the violinist's wife would be a better accompanist for him, and does not want to miss hospital work for the sake of a musical engagement; she is pleased to be rid of the arrangement; the congregation sings badly partly because it remains seated throughout; her father is now eager to change their practice, but the congregation may object - they are set in their ways; she is critical of the French religious practice; arrangements for her hospital work to fit round Mass; the daily vesper service is well-attended; there is scope for spirituality but the Roman Catholic church neither fulfils it nor seeks to; her departure is lamented further as 15 elbow cases and several shoulder cases have come in in the latest convoy; Mlle. Verlaz feels she gives them physical and moral treatment; she has offered to teach massage to Mlle. Boyer, but Mlle. Verlaz feels Mlle. Boyer is not strong enough, and that no one could learn in a month all that Amelia does; instead she will make it as easy as possible for Amelia to return next year; Mongis and Rochepeault have been allowed out for the first time; Matthieu is still not right, but is becoming more docile - his horse fell on him, 'dragging him about 30 feet with the full weight upon the fractured malleolus'; Chambonnier has been saved an operation; Boursier is on his way home to Brittany; Brethes has gone; Durand is now helping with orderly duties; Picquet's bone has been scraped and the cause of the continued suppuration has been found to be two scraps from his coat in the wound; M. l'Abbé is her latest patient, having fallen and dislocated his knee; he thinks Romans are a race of bandits; sometimes there is indignation at the hospital at all the help being given to Italy; the British and French are pouring men and resources into the country to help the Italians keep Monte San Gabriele, now that the Germans have had success in Russia; improvement in writing paper; thanks to parents for letters and cheques; glad to hear that Aunt Amy has found good new quarters; Uncle is still at the Hotel du Parc, Torre Pellice. [Letter breaks off without signature] |