Letter Nany 1931

641

 

LETTERS from NANY to JEAN HAUSERMANN,1931, excerpts , letters addressed to Fedalah and then Rosario from June 31

For memory, 1 franc of 1931 is worth about 0.51 Euros or 3.3 Francs from 2003 - there is deflation of -4.6%

Paris, beginning 31 ??, to Jean Hausermann, who is in Fedalah, his family remained in Toulon

...I received on Saturday night the dispatch of Jean Cordelle, responding to my (Hausermann) "She probably said, but not absolutely sure, could he wait ten days, could he see Hébert" That's what I did after asking him to meet you by phone, and this is what comes out of my conversation.

First it is no longer Hébert but Bénézeth who will take care of Rosario, and he prepares a journey for Argentina. He intends to be absent 3 or 4 months. Chalon has been installed in the old Father's office, and during the absence of Benezeth will take the direction of the works in general, including the Verdon. ....
…..(Hebert speaks) "I am sure that if Gilbert Hersent wants to (Jean Hausermann) The situation of Jean Cordelle in Rosario will certainly be with the future, but there is nothing for the moment to decide only 50 million works for the tracks and dock to be repaired. However, we must start studies of the expansions. No engineer is appointed until now, and there is only one party layer, that's all. ...

Paris, 13 January 1931

(The Jean Hausermanns move from Verdon to Toulon) ... Take your overcoat, but also your leather coat for the journey, and for here, where it often rains 8pm on 24h. J-d initially thought to ask you to go through Vierville, where I would have been before, but I just had a little bronchitis, without any fever, but 8 days ago I didn't put my nose out, it would be very unwise to go on a trip with a tail of cold. So we will abandon the idea of our pilgrimage, my John, your dear Father is everywhere you are!...

...The old uncle regained his growth after staying at home for a few days with some bronchitis, he thought he was dead. Dr. Artaud shook a little! The good man sometimes needs it....

Monday, 9 February 1931

 ....Then I had the visit of the Héberts, ....Bouchereau leaves in Rosario but not Eiche who refusedHe claims that he should have been sent there right away, and he is the one who, at Mr. Georges' request, is taking care of Rosario but as on (Benezeth) Trying to smack him up with information he totally set foot in the dish, complained to Marcel (Hersent) And said to Benezeth, Louvoie It seems that if the road repair in Rosario is fully discussed, it is not the same for Pier A, the government finds the prices too expensive.
I saw Mrs Stévenin going back to Rosario and taking my commissions. She said that Canale – a Argentinean engineer very opposed to the Port, even in your dear Father's time – has just been retired from office. It's a success. Barbet is full of hope for the end of the enlargements. Mr Georges gives Tuesday at home A lunch for the oldest employees of the office in honor of his Commander's tie, it's an event. I wonder what Jean Bapt says. (Hersent) who was the eldest and had, until now, always been rewarded before his brother.
Chalon is more and more mysterious, says Hébert, when he seeks to be kind, it looks like he would want to bite....

...as I told you in a letter I hope you'll have received on board (travelling from Marseille to Fedalah) ...I didn't go to the Collard wedding. (Claudine Collard's name) The old uncle took care of my two boys. It seems that it was very nice, the bride very pretty, the service of honor in pale blue very successful, and the hearty lunch. Good! But I really didn't feel like going to smile at a lot of people indifferent. The Jean-Pierre held his role as a boy of honour with a serious and imperturbable subject. It hardly surprised him.
Yesterday Sunday, good Tantine, Robert and his wife, came to me, the old Tonton had taken Jean-Pierre to the promenade, and the Philou was with his scouts...

 I've heard from her. (Simone) , dated from the Riachuelo....who spoke only of the quiet and relaxing life that she leads with the little ones (poor Jean n , had not returned and was sweating blood and water in Buenos Aires for the development of the engagements with the guvt.)Simone is therefore very quiet, and leads the same life as we were living there a couple of years ago – the beach where they lead a Ford, because it's no longer about horses, and it's a pity-the quinta where we go with the Ford and a basket of fruit refuelling, farewell the horsemen and taras! ...the fruits are apparently gaining, I don't have any trouble believing it – the fishing where we harvest a few dozen fish full of darts, declared excellent by fishermen and execrable by parents who strangle them – the walks along the rio where these beautiful capillaries and "ferres del aire" still grow All these are old memories that your sister saw again and that I would be glad to see you live with yours. In cha Allah!

....There was a serious accident to Mr Georges Hersent, who was dragged for about 20 meters by a master car. He had his forehead open, wounds all over the place, and under the blow of a nervous shake that left some worries the first days. We are now about to be reassured. It seems that he was bleeding so much that the two elegant people who occupied the car did not want him to get in so as not to dirty the cushions; it was near the driver that he was placed both well and badly... at home a great lunch offered to the office employees on the occasion of his tie and it was an event because since the death of old Mr. Hersent (Hildevert H.) It was a lost habit.

...Seen the old Flondrois, back from Concarneau, where he spent 1 month 1/2 in a house without fire or about because the boiler of his calorificate jumped on 1st.^ir He's got a good man on the Hersent, and I can't tell you here. He claims George is the best and most frank.

Tuesday, 17 February 31Parisin Germaine Hausermann

 .....I had a letter from Simone learning in great secrecy that Jean (Hausermann) was appointed to Rosario, I immediately sent him to Fedalah (where is Jean H.)…

...I saw the good friends Hébert... must I mean, I know Jean's been appointed to Rosario, but we had to ask him for the secret...

Me old tonton led her quiet life and our Tantine has rejuvenated since Claude's wedding. J-a had the echoes of joys and toilets. The bride was charming in her long white satin dress with a trail of 4 meters. The honor service of the same very pale blue was very successful: 3 little couples, the girls in dress 1830 – short waist, long skirt and 3-piece beguin – their boys of honour (including Jean-Pierre cavalier of the daughter of Martel the secretary of Clemenceau) in long blouse pants, 1830 blue, with flying, the belt tied. The other 3 bridesmaids in pale blue too. The tantine in Margaine's dress - please - was resplendent.
Lunch at the Luttia of 200 people with jazz and jumping. I did not regret being abstained, I had a sad heart. Q. When I had attended the little Claude at her baptism which took place in the chapel of a convent of the sisters of the Assumption. A touching ceremony, celebrated by an old and good priest helped and served by the Superior herself. All the other sisters in prayer in their stalls. Claude was very much gathered, and expressed several times his joy of being Christian. He is a good and excellent child who deserves the happiness that she has. The young household travels from Nice, Menton, etc.

ParisTuesday, 24 February 1931

 ....I'll make it a similar one (a raglan coat for Jean-Paul) The big father Yves and the two little ones will appear two brothers when they're together. That's gonna make two famous comrades! Simon m'écris que il enragé ce 3^nd And still inside, it'll be the fun of the troupe....

…I still don't know anything new about your departure for Argentina, it's a mystery! And yet in Simone's last letter received these days, she is convinced that you are well advised. We have to start the plans of the port expansions and Gilbert confirmed to John your arrival.The latter work hard and it must be very painful by these heath times.He spends part of his weeks in Buenos Aires discussing the latest conventions. Simone almost despaired of seeing him take the qq days of rest promised ...and necessary.

It's always good at Riachuelo, and Simone makes great plans to have you there next year. The 2 big boys lead free life from the holidays and do their first riding tests. Big father Yves is mad, he takes baths in the beach by paddling the waves of his little hands and shooting off the sea at 4 feet as soon as he leaves his eyes. He will be a famous friend formon Jean-Paul. Simone makes a nice horse hour each morning. She struggled to find a saddle (she claims that she now finds a spare wheel, American cars pass everywhere). I see her here on her "recado" (country saddle) covered with sheep's skin, all the green leather harness, including the short whisk with silver cheek and the wide wick that is hanging from her arm. She hopes you will accompany her next year. These are some nice projects. ...

ParisFriday, 6 March 1931

Your sister told me in her letter of February 10th that the business was going on, as always in this country of "maniana". The unfortunate John who hoped to take a ten days off, did not leave the offices of the ministries in B.A. He stifles there, one imagines what it must be by these exaggerated heathen times. I often wondered how your dear Father had held up the blow for so many years.

In his letter of February 3rd, this is what your sister wrote: "In a short time we would start studying for the "amplifications" our Tony would come at that time after what Gilbert H. said to John most recently.
In her previous letter she made plans for the next summer that she would spend at Riachuelo with Maine and the baby, was delighted the good girl of your coming. She planned to look for a house not too far away from them in Rosario (the rents seem to have decreased a lot) to see each other often and do a favor in Maine, keeping you the petiot during your installation. All this date almost 1 month, obviously, but nothing seems to me changed, if this is perhaps the less close date of your departure. Finally we will soon know what it is and we will act accordingly.

Simon must have gone back to Rosario these days... so she's riding. (at Riachuelo) Every morning, when the people were so stunned that they had to go through this "gaucha". She wandered around the places known to us, everything changed. Boys also ride and Michel fell – more than 6! – .

Saturday, March 14, 1931

...I had yesterday a long letter from Simon still dated from the Riachuelo. Jean came there for an eight-year period, the case being finally signed, the awards approved by Uriburu. Simon is very concerned about whether you come, and if you have not left the house. So we will enter the realization phase. Butchereau has refused (inadequate supplements in general, she says, all find the appt. insufficient – and she adds: so much better!

She is convinced that Bénézeth is not aware of anything (that's the impression also d'Hébert) and that all he says is drying out – a tap of lukewarm water, as Drillon says. She adds that Gilbert has a very big influence on his father, and that as he seems to be determined to bring you, he will win. He told John that he would bring you as soon as the decree of principle of enlargements was signed. The case of about a month wrote him on February 17. So wait a little.

...I went to see Mrs. Jean Hersent yesterday,... it seems that Gilbert is suffering a lot from the summer at BA. Without malice, it's not bad that the bosses try it from time to time...

....I saw it yesterday. (Gabriel Dessus) He's going to Athens and came to ask me my commissions...I think he thinks his mother-in-law should leave St.Cloud, and for that reason he would like to send him to Rosario to spend 6 months there....

Did you see the deconfiture of the bank Bouilloux-Lafont. Mrs. Marcel H's brother is married to the daughter of B. L. They said they had made a dream wedding. He didn't have the money! It's less brilliant now...

Vierville,Monday, April 6, 1931

....It was a good day yesterday and I was able to go to the mass where I found these Mons and Collières's good men who came here every day. They are good people. They all send affectionate memories, they have taken part in our anguishes. (Broncho-pneumonia of Jean-Paul in Toulon). The same was true of Paris, where old uncles, tantines, Batifols, Cordelle, Bousquet, etc., Beaujon and Hébert were speaking. Martha told me that people were often calling and that Dr. Artaud was following the evolution of our Jean-Paul's disease every day.

I didn't have much time to go around the owner, which I saw was a pleasure. Our people took into account what I had instructed them to say, there is order everywhere, the ivy is cut, the ground is amended the trees planted, the roses are well-stocked, the greenhouse is well-stocked. The brave Dagubert has put the engine back in working condition, we have water and therefore the stove of the kitchen is lit. Our little corner is very habitable but does not prevent me from vanging from the top down of the house. With Dagoubert I have examined how to put a sink in the blue room, it will improve well and it is probably there that Little Maine will settle with your darling...if you are not already in Argentina! No news on this side, nor from Greece, Gaby must be at Piraeus.

...When the Papar came out yesterday, we were filled with smiles and greetings, Emile is here....

(Vierville) Sunday, 19 April 1931

I'm stuck here with a bronchitis caught I don't know where. I was hoping to go back to Paris with the boys, but Dr.Brée s'y is formally opposed given the terrible and cold weather that we are experiencing, I resigned myself to obey him.I wrote to the good uncle to come and get the little ones, which he did with all his usual kindness immediately, he is set up on Rue de Longchamp where, assisted by the abbot, Salome and the maid, he does well, m'écrit, and I wait for the faithful Martha, better days. I am very well, eat and sleep, but as long as I cough the doctor will remain inflexible, m-a-taid. He came yesterday, will come back on Tuesday to study and maybe give me my exeat for the end of the week if time permits. I am mad, sacred carcass as mine! I do not bored however in my cozy little corner that you know. The excursions in the house are forbidden and I submit to it because it makes a cold duck said Martha. For 3 days it has been making a strong storm of NO, the sea is demonstrated and it rains. Obviously, this is a temperature that is not recommended to old Nanies. I will not be angry to have taken up my role near the little ones in Paris. Provided that their health is going to be fine, the brave Abbé has already written several times, it is not on this side that I have trouble, but this proves once again that the Chedals must seriously think about coming back since I am not even better at holding my role!...
....Know who I had the visit ???... in a thousand ??.... of Uncle Emile, perfectly. He wrote to me from Paris, asking me to meet him, I replied that I was here without being able to move, but that if he could come I would be happy. The next day he was here. – he went back the same night. I was struck by his resemblance with your dear father. C-en is impressive. There were times when I didn't dare look at him. He was very affectionate, he visited the whole house, then went to the cemetery where he gathered at length, said Martha who drove there, then he visited the property. He seemed to find this very well, he spoke little about his wife, but I had to ask him for news....He had been in Nantes for the funeral of Mr. Closier, (a grandfather's brother, Albert Hausermann had married a Caroline Closier, perhaps he was a relative) It seems that it had struck grandfather a lot, who is 88 years old and now lives with Martha, to whom he makes life very hard, which does not surprise me. He said that you had been very pleased with him, that he would see you again at the end of the month, and that he would send a horse to Fedalah. ...I wonder what you would do with it, but I didn't say to him, of course. So here's this visit of fact. I will confess, my John, that if she was pleasant to me... that's all! without more. A 21-year-old hole separated her from the previous one, that's a lot, and that doesn't fill in qq hours of chatter. Anyway, I'm glad to have this rapprochement for you my children, even more so for you, my John. You can tell Emile when you see him again, that I was touched by his eagerness to answer me, and that I will enjoy receiving him this summer in my old, pimping and neat house. Then he would find you one or the other, he promised me to do it....

Sunday, April 20, 1931

.....Simone in his last letter tells me that Jean Gilbert He saw that Paris was against you joining him. Gilbert replied that it was Georges who opposed it.......(There is nothing yet signed for Rosario's "ampliciones"). I am convinced that it is not Georges who opposes it....

.....I'm going All right.Dr. Brée came back yesterday on my request, could only see him and gave me his exeat yesterday; we left Vierville Martha and I tomorrow morning, and it was the brave Laterrier who dropped me off at Molay with the superb inner conduct that he just bought. I saw him on Friday for various things and he offered me so kindly that I did not refuse. I saw him for a section of wall of one of my fields – along the Baurens farm – that last month rain caused him to fall over 6m long. I gave this to Father Leberruyer (50F the m3). I'm providing sand and lime, but we'll have to watch him and Leterrier promised me.

But here's another one, I don't know what Roberta wrote to Piraeus when he went back to Paris with the kids, and I think he put it in the dark, because on Wednesday I received a news dispatch asking for news and telling me that Suzon was taking the Orient Express from Friday. Two I'm sorry, because it's not worth it, I feel very brave and will resume my usual life. Breed has been taking care of with a lot of energy, and for a week I've had some very strong bites that have been very successful. I see what this departure must have been for Suzon, we don't organise it in two days when we leave the house for several months. I am angry after Robert who, to change, had to be afraid of the responsibilities that fell on him to keep the boys for a few days. He wrote, "I wrote to Suzon not to panic, that it was only a matter of time." Poor man! And he adds, "don't do it, Suzon will go to Vierville." Two things moon, or I can go home and I can't go home alone, or I'm in a state of disrepair and I stay in Vierville.

....Everything is fine here, time is slowly getting back to the beautiful, but the trees are taking their leaves, the pear trees are white with flowers and the wood is all gleaming with primevères and jacinthes, what a pretty corner ours!

....Your good dispatch arrived yesterday at about 2:00, and we were very happy (she announced the appointment of Jean Hausermann to Rosario) , because we assume that it fulfills your desires......Already on Sunday the brave Hébert had come to tell me that he believed in your decided case, that Gilbert had come to revive Bénezeth – in front of him – to telephone Fedalah. B. had been obliged to say then what he was returning from, that he wondered who we were going to send to Fedallah....It also seems that you wanted to board on May 20 with B.(Benezeth ??) – and his wife – the thing seemed to me very rushed and your journey would have been spoiled.

(Paris)Saturday, June 6, 1931, addressed to the Hausermanns who arrive in Rosario

...the two maps of Vigo and Lisbon, my Jean, have come to us....

... Here everything is fine and the sun has decided to go, so I'm getting ready to go on the 18th for Vierville with Bison and Martha. We make envious, and boys find that we have a good luck. Poor kids are in the compositions....

....The good old uncle is still faithful, the aunt too, she has just left with her old friend Massart, in Ouistreham and I will see her in Vierville in July, before she passes to Paris to take Micheline and finish summer in Cavalaire.

....reviewed the La Heudrie who permanently left Paris and settled in Trevières, the rent of their apartment had risen from 14000 to 40000, it is not rented and nobody visits it.

...The old Flondrois has had lunch with us, still as valiant. He has the appetite and the spirit of a 25-year-old man, and if I don't abuse him he goes to his 68! We must see him this summer probably with the Martins who will come to Vierville at the end of August. You can tell his children, my Jean, that I am happy to have found them....

Letter from Nany to Simone Cordelle, (full transcript)

Paris, June 9, 1931, Tuesday

My little Simon, I've been writing to you by plane for two weeks (on Saturday, May 30th, at the Totony) and if it makes it easier to go faster, it still prevents me from spreading, and this week I'm coming to make you a longer talk because I think she'll be going through several hands. I know that when you receive it, you've had many details verbally from our dear travelers about what they left in France, but so much so I'm too happy to get closer to you, and that's the only way I have.

According to our calculations, the port of call of Rio had to be on Saturday or Sunday, at this moment the Luttía must be in Santos or near, then it will be the Gulf of Santa Catarina - with its surprises - Montevideo and Buenos Aires Saturday or Sunday. I imagine your impatience and your joy to find you all, I share them, it is my only sweetness at your distance, all my dears, that to feel you soon.

I had your good letter of May 18, Simon, I read there that your John was tired of all these months of work without stopping, the presence of Benezeth will not be to allow him to stop, but I hope that Jean can rest a little while running from Rosario for about fifteen and that the Touny can help him effectively in his heavy task at present. You were buried as well as the big father whose teeth tormented, I hope that everything is straightened up and that you are like the two boys who hold on to them. I had great pleasure in seeing the good sniffs on the little pictures, and you're a good girl to have sent them to me, with my magnifying glass, because my eyes see very badly, I guessed my Simon without her umbrella, with a hairstyle all that is more modern, she had the advantage of not keeping warm, but I like winter hairstyle.

Here everything is fine, thanks to the presence of your dear great, the days pass without trouble, I must have been able to go through this painful period of departure of your cadets, I am very grateful to him, because the separation has been hard! All health is good and I am about to leave Paris next week with the Bison and Martha. Boys are in the middle of compositions and work hard, they need to rest the poor kids and the mines feel good about it. Fortunately, appetite remains good.

Suzon is today with the old friendFlondrois who takes him to see the Salon and also the Humorists, it cut by a good lunch in a chic restaurant. J的en is very happy for her, because it is not for me to go through all these rooms, after 5 minutes I only sleep with the big pouffes of the middle to sit there. The old Flondrois despite his qq 67 or 68 years, is still as green, he is connoisseur and the visit of all these paintings must be pleasant with him.

I saw all our friends who came to the news of our travelers, Mrs. de Fontréault, Godard, Batifol, Navelet, de la Heudrie, J. de Mons and his wife. The old uncle comes about every day; the tantrine is in Ouistreham, we leave, we go, and Paris is at least quieter in our neighborhood. We have been seeing Choute deGourcuff; she does not seem more tired, on the contrary, but her husband's neurasthenia seems to be extinguished on her morale and it is a shame. What a life these two beings lead! It is from the novel of G. who has been in charge of the house storage, kitchen etc., since Francine's death, also the order and cleanliness of the house. The room of Choute is a place of refuge for 3 dogs, two of which are huge briards with long hairs! ...She remains still the most delicious of friends. Mrs. Godard has been radiating since the birth of a son at Louis. Godard has agreed to be the sponsor of it provided that the child enters later at Polytechnique and leaves in the body of the Bridges and Chaussées. ...and it was said without a shadow of a smile! Annette is increasingly keen to make theatre, but she gets bored at the height of

Did I tell you that we are selling the collection of Homberg, the rich financial man - formerly husband of Mrs. Navelet's older sister - because of bad speculations. Her bank has just been taken over by Indochina's and it is said that there is a serious deficit. Here as in your home, Bousquet claims that there is still a year to come. It is a matter of holding on, it will have to be more simple and it will not be a bad thing.

I'm having lunch in Fontenay at the B's. ( ??) I wanted to see him before I left for Vierville and say goodbye, but I don't explain why Suzon isn't invited too.

Gérard Busson gets back from his operation, he fevers every night, Dr de Bonnes had pulled the alarm bell, the one here saw only a affection due to the appendix, but this one removed, it does not seem that nothing is changed, Roger s'en tormentes much, Anne seems less, but perhaps only to give courage to her husband. Bros was there these days returning from Cherbourg where he had been given his command, it seems a nice ceremony and he wanted to take Thézou there who refused to leave Lesparre where she intends to spend a part of the summer that she will end up in Bonnes. The old Busson are sorry to see their children get away, they often saw themselves. Old Janssens will see his grandson but no longer address his children, he sits, stays 1h or 1h 1⁄2 near the sick little one and goes. Suzon saw it in this situation that doesn't leave him embarrassed enough to be around, but he does take care of it, what poor man!

I'll take your letter, darling, and I've already renewed your subscription to the X Information a few days ago, and I'll do the same for Candide, whose subscription ends on June 15.

I am glad to see that your great ones are getting into work and gymnastics, it will make them muscles; they have grown enormously, and the big father's roundness is wrong; this one is not pityful. I am eager to know what will be collision between the two little ones and whether my Jean-Paul has regained his good mine before his illness. He was well on his way and this saline cure will have had a good influence.
Where are the cadets going to settle?

I admired the car, we must be rich!

Simon, you don't seem to have received my letter where I was talking about Tunisia's carpets. I had trouble getting the last ones by Bousquet, they cost me a lot and are not a perfect choice, they are colored criards, and they are not worth the Touny's. I'm sorry I could send you some because it's very practical.
I don't know if I told you that Flondrois saw the Vassallo here; she, always infused with purchases naturally. They were, he said, very severe for M.L. St. who stands like a crane, and of which we talk too much, to the point that Mrs Vassallo made him remonstrates (the devil making herself hermit).

What does it say about all this, little Maine; I would like to know what she thinks of Argentina? It is true that it is so different when I come to find good smiling figures to expect you. I am very eager to have details of the arrival which will not be any longer. Goodbye my dears I very much kiss you, the great and the small for us 5 who often speak of you, until the Bison who puts his word!

Your old Nany Marguerite

I think the big father has something of John Paul in his smile, he's as graceful as his little cousin.

Paris 15 June 1912h1/2

….Very kind letter I just received from Zezeth (Ms. Bénézeth) – by plane dated June 4th – I am told that I found Simon and the three petiots healthy, but that John is tired. I am very sorry but not surprised after the collar blow he just gave for long months and in full heat, without being able to say ouf! I would be very happy if the presence of Benezeth and yours allowed him to go back a little qq. It takes time to run away from the worries, and I guess they do not miss to set up such a job. ...

...So Hébert m-a said that we were going to send a young 26-year-old central, charming, and intelligent, not married. Heiche will probably go to Bizerte where nothing goes and where Lardy should leave the place. Cherisier will also leave on July 2, he is a good recruit and a good boy, you will have there a good entourage.

... tomorrow we have Gaby for lunch. Mrs Cordelle is still in Calais for until the end of the week...

....Seen the Beaujon....Beaujon was coming back from Antwerp, he made us laugh that he had made it clear to Chalon that his service was independent of his and that he had Nothing On the other hand, the note of Verdon's spending lengthening terribly, Beaujon on the order of the Hersent presented protests to Chalon which seemed rather embarrassed. ....

I just read in the morning that a mail is leaving tomorrow for BA: it's time to come and kiss you all, because I'm leaving Thursday for Vierville with the little one and Martha and I expect that the next days will be troubled, I won't have time to write to you at all. I haven't yet heard from you, but yesterday I saw Hébert and before yesterday Beaujon, I promised to call me as soon as the dispatch has arrived, we are very eager to know you have arrived and gathered. I will immediately telegraph him in Toulon where I must be as impatient as we are!

....I'm leaving Thursday. Suzon will follow with the boys in the first days of July
....We had a splendid time and even a few very hot days yesterday in the shade, Suzon took advantage of it to take Nany to the Colonial Exhibition. It's possible even for the nanies, thanks to the buses that walk very slowly the visitors and stop at the right places. We came back excited...and accompanied by a beautiful Arabic, a Tunisian, perfectly. He came to pay him 2 nice carpets of Kairouan that we chose in the Souks from Tunis (a very nice reproduction, patinated at wish) for the Simon who seemed to regret not having one, there is a large (3m60 x 1m20 I believe) another smaller, in high wool beige, grey and brown, few colors but very nice designs in my opinion. After many bargaining I had them for 2000F, it is not very expensive, because they are tight of point. I made them ship immediately, by quick-service, to your mover who must have had them on Saturday and can put them in your furniture. ...

...the old uncle is fine, he lives like a fish in the water

Vierville30 June 1931Tuesday

Finally! My children I have this time confirmed your good arrival

...I see you all four, one on land on the beautiful ship, agitated by an always too long landing...I also received a long letter from Simon dated 9 June; the 12 your elders were to leave for BA. I will answer my dear daughter on Saturday. I would have wanted to write you at length today by plane and then I was interrupted by Mrs de Mons all sorry by the closure of the agency of the small bank that Collières was running in Alençon. It comforts me to see you far away feeling that your future is less precarious. There is a lot of concern in France about the business and the coup de Jarnac that the Americans have just launched for the boaches is not meant to smile. I wonder what the Verdon will become, already in such a bad pass, if the boaches don't give anything for 1 year. Chalon laughs maybe yellow and I bad, I don't complain! But hay of all these people! ....

...Here everything is fine, we have a splendid time and our old house has all its charm, it gradually finds its summer aspect....I think that Suzon and the little ones will join on Saturday, the boys have passed their exam, very rigorous since this free of charge obtained by the room. So this is a good holiday without worries. I had the visit of all the Collards in car and Tantine has stayed a few days. It is as pleasant as it is easy to live, the petiote does not leave it. Apart from that the country remains calm, without stories, one speaks about you and I am willing to wait....
Good news of George who is very hot, and of the old uncle who doesn't. It's time, archi l'hour and the mail is not waiting. There's a boat after tomorrow..

Vierville11 July

....and I just read that a boat leaves on the 14th for BA, it's time to come chat with you so that this word doesn't miss the mail Tuesday in Boulogne. Everything is fine here, Suzon arrived Saturday with the rest of the house, namely the 2 boys, Dada, and Salome. The first two had a very bad look, and it was time for us to get here. More appetite and petticoats that are worth nothing. Everything has changed in qq days, we eat everything, including the green currants (the big tontons!) . And Jean-Pierre who coughed is about to be rid of a kind of bastard whooping whore, according to Dr. a part of the little Parisians for the last few weeks. We have indeed a splendid time, barely a few hours of rain that came at a point for the garden, which died of thirst; since it is greener than ever and the flowers are brighter. There are also many strawberries; unanimously we have abandoned the idea of jams for the exquisite desserts that it reserves us; We'll catch up on the clustered currants that are legion and the blackcurrants that we'll make of the winter desserts. The pears, the apples cover the trees, there are also many plums, peaches, and even cherries. "Wheel" We are in a tough competition and I am very afraid that we will not taste a "clafoutis". The old fig tree has been making some money, it was waiting for you, little Maine, in honor of the little southern woman you are. ... It is good in the old house that has found all its luster as well as its pebbles and its lawn cut close.

Suzon saw in Paris the engineer Cousin, they caused a lot and I almost assured him that he would come by car from the Rouen where he had to spend part of August.

.... We enjoy a lot of this beautiful weather, and most likely we will go to Cherbourg on Monday. I would like to go to the cemetery, we will do that in the day, of course, the Pépita gaise like a Bugatti, we will probably not have time to go back to Bros who has already taken his command....

....Tantine had to leave Paris yesterday for Cavalaire in Robert's car, via the Auvergne. The old uncle must find Paris a little empty; he intends to stay there until the birthday of our poor Mara, he will then go to Cherbourg and come to see us. Mrs Cordelle will spend some fifteen with us in August, and I count on the old Flondrois and the Martins. These friends would go on tour on Stang Ar Lin and maybe with them. I confess that for my part I would rather stay here, as soon as I am in our dear corner I no longer want to move....

...The Collières arrive tomorrow with the little ones, which delights ours. I do not know if I told you that the agency of the small bank where was Collières is closed in Alençon, the Credit Ind and Com having bought most of the shares of this small company. Collières was almost thanked. The poor of Mons were at the hundred blows.... Mad. de Mons ms ms told all this while weeping, the future is very dark for them, with 4 children to raise. Jacques is here, his wife is in Rennes, he has a dreadful mine. De Pierres is here without his wives, Guillemette will undoubtedly come but not the Marquise. The Heudries are moving in in Trevières, and the Papars aren't here yet.

Vierville23 July 1931

.....You know as well as we do how the days are spent here, they are far from being occupied, because from here we improve, clean up, tidy up, Suzon turns on in the painting, and thanks to it many doors or window a little dubious have regained their freshness. I just received a sink which, laid by the brave Dagubert in the blue room – that of the young households - will make easier the toilet of petiots who need a lot of water...I do all this thinking about the happy holidays where I will have the joy of owning one or the other, the good Suzon associates with my projects....

...and as it is a splendid and warm weather since my last letter, the baths and the beach are in honor....All this little world joins the 4 Collières every afternoon and these are endless games on the beautiful blond sand.

Not many people have arrived, the financial crisis affects all the stock exchanges and we count Parisians; it is not to displease me far from there. I attended yesterday the family bath, it was a mild and sunny time, we were well in our house, but the sacred Welsh advanced by a good step the cabins and it hides us the sea on the side of the Percaea. This naughty man will never stop that he borders the road of a whole horrific row. The wooden ears that are laid along the boulevard have once again danced the carmagnole in addition to one place and it is a famous work to be done again if one wants to avoid a disaster this winter. Only the works of Gallois hold and I had a little malice to make it see to the engineer who came the other day m-undertake so that I would agree to let the water enter the field of Coulmain. J-I had a win in this story and made to the engineer that his proposal brought me only trouble and no advantage, and he had to smile at it, and we left good friends. He'll get the stream through the road in the nozzles.

Seen the friends of Mons, de la Heudrie, Collières, in St-Sever where we had tea, then at Mt St-Pierre where Madame de la Heudrie fought with her move. The large hall resembles the flea market, she says, but once all their beautiful tapestries are in place, their books, their old furniture, and the marbles of the master of the house, it will be one of the most beautiful installations in the area. ....repent of Pierres, still without false collar, but very marked, however, we wait for Guillemette in about fifteen. When I saw our priest, going near your dear Father, I can bloom at leisure, the garden is admirable and bright, pink, geraniums, calceolars, wolf-mouths, anthemis and huge dahlias are in full bloom. Not to mention the superb hortensias that border the house in the north, and of which I made a massive, a real pink ball. The glance is very nice when entering and I never tire. It must be believed that it is successful, because the Parisians stop there as easily.

I had Blanche Duchemin and his children at lunch, these are here until August 15. Peter is very sad, the poor boy has lost to his last penny – 200,000f of his wife's dowry – and thanks to one of his associates is engaged far beyond. It's sad because he's not a cause.
Old Father Lebastard was hit yesterday by the car of Saillard (the gardener), deaf as a pot and who has no driving license or insurance. We all hope that the brave man will get away with simple bruises, but his age, 73 years, also makes it possible to fear worse.

...Tonton is in Paris until August 10, he wants to spend August 6 in Orsay, we will accompany him in thoughts, and the Mass of that day will unite the name of our good Mara with that of your dear Father.
...our little wood – always very nice this one, so green and so quiet, many young trees, and the Touny fir trees behind the kiosk, very large. The new apple tree is vigorous as well as the pawlownia on the lawn in front of the house; as for the fruits, the small hands are not made because of the lack of filling the pockets. We have succeeded in some blackcurrant jams and it promises good "collies". Well, my good children, are you aware of the old house and its hosts, M的y do you follow? I write to you in my room, on the desk where I have seen my dear mother so many times read and write; I've gathered all your portraits and my eyes go from one to the next of my dear ones.

Tuesday, August 4, 1931

 ...when I write to you, I hope that your older men could have put their project of l'Iguazù to execution, without waiting for the arrival of your furniture which is only on the way and certainly not yet arrived. The good sister wanted to help you with your installation before leaving, learning that it was not for immediately, they will probably have taken their vacation. The older brother did not steal them, I know from experience how much relaxation days away from work, are necessary after a tension of mind and intense labor. ...

...Here it all goes, we had a good day last week, but for three days we have been giving up a terrible NE storm, the sea is raging and rolling huge waves of scum, it's cold, and the sky is grey and dirty as in November; the show is splendid at the beach, Suzon has driven us there, but the poor people arrived here on 1st.^ir August with strong luggage and many children must be very bad and are to complain in their facilities more than summary. For us the old house reserves such a warm welcome and many occupations that make us spend the hours without boredom. Mrs Cordelle is one of ours since Thursday, she is always a good and pleasant woman very easy to live. She helps us at this moment to develop the installation of the room of mid-floor which with her curtains of Jouy canvas will be changed at all....
...We have to have tea in St-Sever this afternoon, we have to meet the usual friends with the Batifol who arrived in St-Honorine on Saturday. We were welcome back from Bayeux – (by a rain) – where I had been treated a tooth. Fortunately my driver is most complacent...
Our parish priest continues to lead the Mass, the singing, the quest with his usual vigour. There was a little man high on Sunday that was fun for us. As soon as the parish priest was silent, he would say "It's there!" and when he started again "Always!!!..."
Father Coulmain came to present me with a possible successor to his lease of the wood (browsing in front of the castle) , he's a young man with a smart figure, a big herbager...I have reserved my choice; we still have 1 year to run.

Old Tostain, from Bayeux, died, he is an interesting figure who disappears, I saw his wife and searched a little at home, I found there a funny little book from a canon Béziers dated 1752 that tells of things little known about Bayeux and his cathedral. Pierre Duchemin has to communicate to me qq books on Maisy and the surrounding area. Few letters received, everyone is on vacation or rest.

2 cuts of the Cherbourg Awakening (which Tonton receives) and which may interest you, ...For Homet I am happy to read the arrangement which keeps in Sauze a job in Cherbourg

Vierville19 August 1931, Wednesday

 ....if I count well at this moment the elders are in l'Iguazù with the 2 great boys and you have stayed alone with my big father Yves whom the brave Clementine must watch as the plum of her eyes. I am sure that you will have been happy to facilitate the rest of the big brother accompanied by his dear trio. They will return with new things and eyes full of beautiful visions...

....This is all going well despite a detestable time. What water! What water! the sky pours tons of it on our heads and it becomes worrying for our rotting potatoes. The fruits grow, the melons become superb but it lacks sun and sugar! The flowers do not come back, there are only these big pink balls d ́hortensias that, as true girls of Normandy, flourish greatly under this deluge that suits them. ... Poor bathers! They are not like the hortensias, and they are lamentable by paddling on the roads, fleeing the inhospitable beach under frequent showers. However, the high tides of 15 August were fruitful, the whole house except the 2 mothers, went to the Percée with various appliances and we are at the head of a respectable number of baskets of mussels, crabs, gogins, which ultimately it will have to throw because we are a little disgusted because of too much. ...

....Láncle Emile, writing to Bousquet for their Tangier business told him that he would not go to France this summer and regretted not coming to see us here...
...Pépita had a window damaged by a peasant carriage whose owner had taken the powder from the camp. We were parked near the Batiffol in Ste Honorine, at the place imposed by the municipality. Fortunately witnesses of the accident came to warn us and this was a scene chased in search of the culprit. The four legs of his courier did not hold long before our 6 horses ... Insurance will manage with him. She always gass the Pépita, apart from qq tire-funs (we are at our 9000 km). He is a good girl. It seems that Renault does not manufacture more than 6 hp; and its new 11 hp model, 5 good seats, beautifully caroused, 10 litres per 100 km is worth only 20,000F. There is a big decrease on the cars, and Suzon is a strong guinea on this last car that she hopes will buy when she returns.

ViervilleWednesday, 27bre1931

...we knew very quickly that the great John had finally been able to get away from work for a few days, it was not stolen and Mr. (Benezeth) has put many forms in my mind to grant such a thin rest! ...

...I just received a note from Mrs. Jean Hersent's secretary. The poor woman, she, is at great rest after a new nasal hemorrhage which weakened her very much, but she wanted to warn me that the Gilberts are embarking on the 8th for BA and that if I had some commissions....

...I just left our friends Martin and the "Tio Moi" on my way to Brittany and Stang Ar Lin in their 2 splendid cars (the Martins is a wonder of comfort – 52 CV). I had to accompany them and made a joy of this little getaway made in such friendly conditions, but my sacred liver thought it was good to make his before yesterday and I thought it prudent, although the crisis was mild, to refrain from fatigue and cold perhaps, not to mention the congestion for these good friends of a half of patraque. The good Flondrois speaks nothing less than to come and look for me next week; and to take your elders with me at the same time.

George has been in Savoy for a few days, and Suzon has joined the boys on Monday. She was sorry to leave at such a moment, but everything has gone pretty badly, both of them have had to delay their journey, she has seen the Martins 2 days and not at all Flondrois arrived qq hours after her departure. I had pleasure in doing the honors of our old house, which had all the success. The garden, even though it was damaged by the last rains, the woods, the vegetable garden, the vicinity of the sea and the beach house, was reviewed, but the first steps were towards the small cemetery......I'm glad that the Martins finally know our old house that seemed to please them, they tasted its quiet charm (I had installed them in the room of 1⁄2 floor) Flondrois still in the great top.

We took advantage of the ease of the big car to take some nice walks; but the 1^ir Suzon day with the Pépita made us go around the manors by way of small paths inaccessible to the big cars and which liked very much with their shades to our old friends. The weather sazed little to, little, but every evening I made light a good burst of wood in the small living room and Martin was happy to......We visited Bayeux and his cathedral, been taking tea at Grandcamp, on the perré, finally Monday until Cherbourg in a stride – 1h10 to swallow the 90 km – without seeing. We climbed the road in a car and enjoyed a magnificent panorama without fatigue. But it really took the power of the car to climb so smoothly a steep slope on such a bad road with such sharp turns. We saw very well the new works and the dike of Jean. We are a little worried about the few travelers who leave or who arrive...

...During this time your elder was joining Georgesen Savoie....The little girl stayed here, she was spoiled by all, including the old uncle who is here for another ten and will then pay a little getaway on Cavalaire where he must find Tantine. He wants to see a little sun and I understand it, you have to read that it is a new flood that our summer...

....The bad weather has made the Parisians flee from the hotels and everyone complains here about bad cases. There is not only them and Bousquet whose letter I have this morning seems concerned about his. It is not very surprising, he is mainly engaged in tin mines, zinc, etc.. It is the fallolade on that side.
....The brave Dagoubert installs a sink in the blue room, it will make this little place well habitable, when you enjoy it, my good children? I want to believe that your elders will come next year, all I do here is not this for all of you?
Leon and Jeanne paint the barriers, and I'm sting The gate whose base is heavily rusty to pass it to the minium and then paint it. It's a work of patience. The roofer hasn't come yet, I'm trampling! But this is not the time to go up on our roofs. However, the time is coming, in 1 month we will almost be back.
....It's a shame that I can't send you a package of pears, there are some beautiful Williams right now, what would my François and my Michel and their Dad say? My Simon, I hope you came back happy with your trip and your nurse has fulfilled all her duties during your absence....

Vierville16Sept1931,Wednesday

 3 beautiful little maps of Simon, however dated from l'Iguazù; we could admire magnificent waterfalls...

...we found our house in good condition when we returned from Brittany, which beautifully completed our flight: left Thursday morning at 7h1/2 with the Pépita, we covered our 410 km in 12 hours with 2 hours of stop in Rennes. Charming trip by St-Lô, Villedieu, St-Hilaire, Fougères, Rennes, Pontivy, Rosporden and Concarneau – (not a puncture)

At 7:1/2 am we made our entrance to Stang Ar Lin between two beautiful rows of beautiful blue and pink hortensias, and in the park of the old friend, all surprised to see us arrive so early. We were received in the most affectionate way, and I could not tell you everything that the hospitality was received in this house filled with beautiful things and furnished with exquisite taste.

For me the master of the house was relegated to the 2^nd And m-done his place, a superb Gothic room, the old blue damasks, the columnbed, the large cabinets excavated by sculptures and completed with a bathroom of the last boat, with a glass front body garnished with good armchairs. J-done there discovered Concarneau, the sea, the small river flowing down the property, all intertwined with the dark greenery of the park. (sic) From the purest Louis XVI style from the lacquered bed to the candlesticks and clockwork, passing through the furniture and hangings of Jouy blue and white. All the whole house is tasteful and admirable finish. And it's there that one realizes that with silver it also takes taste – Arabic billiard room, Breton bedroom, large Gothic dining room with stained glass windows and ceiling, but especially beautiful Chinese living room, completely Chinese, embroidered hangings, carved furniture, chosen tumblers, with superb ancient Chinese carpets as well. The basements are equipped with a very high-quality lingerie, storage facilities, cellars and especially a lovely swimming pool with gold and blue mosaics, with a red fish bottom, which pours cold or warm water at will. The garden is very picturesquely located along the river, with a gentle slope. There is the Chinese garden with its pond of neuphras, its huge Buddha (4m high) on its altar, its resting pavilion, there is the rose garden, the small wood filled with very varied essences. All this is a lovely set, and if the old friend had to spend a lot of money on it, at least it was a success.
A hearty meal made up of a bunch of seafood and interesting walks in this Breton country, still so touchless, still full of capes and costumes; and then this neighborhood of the nasty sea and cut ribs. On Friday the cotre walk that holds the sea (I held the blow like an old wolf) then back by Concarneau and his town closed walls dating from Vauban. ....The next day hiking by car.....

....Sunday morning, despite the insistence of our host we resumed at 7:1/2 the way to our old house – and at 6:1/2 in the evening after stopping for lunch in Rennes, we crossed the gate of our home...

... a dispatch announces Georges' return for tomorrow, we will take advantage of his remaining stay to store the books of our Mara; all the tumblers, linens, dishes, are now tidy. J-did all this with the old Tonton, during your elders' stay in Savoy. We have emptied all the boxes of the attic. There is only the books left...
...Tonton is in Cavalaire, he will return on October 4 with Robert who bought an apartment in Nice, will furnish it and thinks to rent it easily, waiting to go back later. ...

ViervilleThursday1^irOctober 1931

...I hope to see the Zezeths (Benezeth) When they return from BA, which will not be long if I believe the Simon. (Gilbert Hersent) He succeeded very closely and the poor great John will be on the balls again, what a job! It is not that of lazy!...

....the little band left for Paris this morning, the classes start again tomorrow, and I stayed with Martha to close and finish up....All health is good luck, including mine (I touch wood) it was a good summer and I feel better than I did in the 1930s...

... The poor of Mons are well tormented with the Collières as I told you, he is secretary to Caen of the Bank's Director. Where can it lead? A little; so he is alone in Caen his whole family remains in Alençon where life is cheaper. The general situation is however very difficult at this moment. The English drink a monster broth (what must say the B.?) business in France is very bad, banks fall down like castles of cards, and there are many bankruptcies.

....Georges and Marcel Hersent were charming (with Georges Chedal) And took lunch to the Interallied Circle with the Marquis of Noah, a new administrator whose name does well... but that's all....

....the weather remained beautiful and sweeter, much softer than in August, so the flowers so damaged by constant rain have regained a new radiance and are in abundance. The pink and red geraniums, yellow calceolars, lobelias and blue agerathumes, the roses themselves are superb, but the dahlias win the prize with their splendor, there are still many...
...the pears will be good to pick, and already this morning there is a good package for Paris. The apples are legion, and there will also be a lot for cider and at very advantageous prices, since with the usual price to make a barrel of 1,400 liters j- will make 2 in provisions. The repairs are finished, the roof is well closed, the paintings with finished fences, the large grid passed to the minium will wait February to receive its coat of paint that it needs; and the mason has reviewed a certain length of wall as I do every year. I'm interviewing the best I can with the old house you love my good children.

Before leaving the boys did a strong slaughter of nuts, there are masses; the Jean-Pierre took advantage of it to put his hands in a famous state by peeling them! What a kid !.. the Philou watched him do... and ate the nuts. The old Lafontaine is still out of date....

I'm sending my Jean the report of the council meeting here; I've spoken about your resignation letter to Mr de Mons, he doesn't want to take it yet, so as to avoid rather scazy elections....

You will see in the newspaper article that we started testing 150m of dyke on the boulevard de Cauvigny; we took the idea of Father, we sink piles in cement by scouring with water and after we made a cement coating. The costs are made by the state, entirely. However, this one tightens the screw, the pier perpendicular to the Homet that we were to undertake is abandoned and the port of Cherbourg is moreover in the marasm, we disarmed 4 ferries, the travellers becoming increasingly rare; I believe Ch. The ship station is very embarrassed with the big costs, and it's really ugly, it's overwhelming. I won't congratulate Chalon or Levasseur.

………Friday (2 October 1931)

I have reopened my letter, my good children, because I have just received your letter of September 7 with very charming pictures....

...I just read that it snowed in Reims! Is that possible?...

ParisWednesday, 14Oct 1931

.....I read in Time that the SPR(Société du Port du Rosario) It was pointed out for once that it was a French company. This corroborates well with what Flondrois and Beaujon had said that we saw last week. Gilbert must have arrived and Bénézeth did not leave, I suppose, despite his desire; after Beaujon, Gilbert was not satisfied to learn that he had made the plan to leave without waiting. And what do you think of the result of this presentation? Is there any hope of success? And the current work, my Jean, is it working as you wish?

....my week had been poisoned by a sacred tooth that I resolved to have removed but not without a hook......It was very badly fallen......the good big sister, in addition to her personal things wanted to leave those of the boys quite to the point and even those of her old mother so that I had no more to do. Meanwhile she found the way to make me a dress more than the 3⁄4 and refistol my winter hats. She left Monday night by the Orient Express with the petiote and Dada....

....Tonton came back Sunday with all the Collards, delighted with his stay in Cavalaire, his journey, and so happy with your blue sky that he intends to leave in March and April for Nice..
....Suzon before his departure wanted to make me know the new Gaumont Cinema – Place Clichy – and took it Saturday afternoon. It is said, the largest cinema in the world, I do not have trouble believing, there are 6000 seats, and so cleverly arranged, that the room looks naked; it is a cathedral height, with modern lighting that does not hurt. The cinema, of course, with mechanical orchestra – but in the meantime excellent string orchestra of 200 performers and the best songs of organ and especially graceful and fresh ballets, worthy of an Opera, all this for the modest sum – in week – of 10F per orchestra chair (15F on Sunday). This does not look like what has been done so far in Paris, and it is very successful. The least neighborhood cinema chair costs 15 to 20F; at Paramount and Cie, it is 25F.

Life tends to fall, butter has declined seriously, eggs have fallen, and the meat on foot has fallen by half and I hope that we will feel the benefits of it in the near future. Business is still bad, moreover, and the international political situation too troubled for the financial situation to rise. We are so uneasy about winter and the unemployment that is preparing. I believe that for many people it will be necessary to return to a simpler conception of daily life. You are blessed, my dears, to escape these worries, so painful when one has a family...
...I sent my 2 daughters a pack of catalogues, I received other pretty ones as a presentation that I send them again this week. They will see the trend of fashion that has changed especially well for the head. All Parisians are with foolish little hats – which go very well to them, one sees widely the hair and the husk that one places very low, on the neck, as under the 2^nd Empire. The hat cap is microscopic, flat, fairly wide but barely high...

...The old Flondrois had to leave yesterday for Lausanne, where he will find the Martins. Did I tell you that Mrs Martin had to stop buying a milk jug. J-is depository until they left for BA. They promised us to come back here a little this winter...

I'm starting to get the pear baskets....there are still some good pawnshops that would bring water to the mouth of the great Jean. The little apple tree behind the chassis, barely a metre high, is covered with so many red apples from Calville that it is as if flaming. I'm sure there are more than 10 kilos – and it's high like a boot!

The apple tree of the young, planted this winter is good (and so the pawlownia on the lawn in front of the house) I intend to replant two more in the same place; tell my little ones, because they will be their trees to them.

Paris28Oct.1931-Wednesday

 ....there was only this poor great John who was putting the three-fold bites to complete the project of new work as quickly as possible. I know from the Time that the re-establishment was done at the Argentine guru, that's already a thing but that's not all, it's going to have to be discussed and how!! I remember what it was once, and it must not have changed much. I wish that all this effort was not useless and that the works were granted for the greatest glory, first, of those who set them up.

...a very sudden cooling of temperature, it freezes every morning, but in a clear sunny weather that continues a beautiful autumn. We warmed rather badly than well with stoves but the owner had for the 1^era I've been here for 20 years, the generous gesture of lighting up the caloriferous for the sole pleasure of being pleasant to its tenants. God bless it. So we can move around the whole apartment without being embossed with shawls.

....I saw Mrs Cordelle living in a house on the bottom. Gaby has to go back about 20 Nov. and will get married around Christmas. Mrs Cordelle will leave St-Cloud in the first few days of Christmas....

....An hour of music at Tantine's on Saturday, the 7th^nd Beethoven's symphony and a little St.Saens, what to enjoy with the little ones,

Sunday, a good wooden walk that we crossed from one end to the other until St-Cloud to return by tram. Exquisite walk along the new boulevard that replaced the fortifications, all lined with charming hotels and beautiful buildings with terraced gardens. You will find this very much changed. Longchamp Street now communicates straight with the wood and ends with a lovely garden with green lawns that we see from our windows. Most of these beautiful houses are empty of tenants, for example it is a complete fiasco for the companies of buildings that had built only for billionaires our arrondissementrebrag of apartments to rent.

....Sunday is the Toussaint, I will not go to Vierville despite everything that it will cost....I will go to the various cemeteries here...It is too cold for me to venture into the old cold house. The days that come will be painful, I may not even be able to go to Orsay, the old uncle will replace me....

ParisWednesday, November 11(1931)

....Beaujon phoned me the other day...that Gilbert Hersent was coming back without delay, but still knows nothing about the Benezeth, I hope that all this people have left and that the great John is so quiet...

...the weather is less beautiful, and it's raining, but it's still not cold and the heat is heating too much.

...I had to have lunch yesterday the old friend Flondrois with Bousquet...Flondrois was half-funguated, but he treated it in his own way, with good wine and a good glass of d'Armagnac! It must be recognized that so far it has been very successful.

...if time goes on, I'm thinking about spending 2 days in Vierville next week, without warning, I don't always have my good men in hand, it may be good for them to think that I can fall on their backs without yelling at them.

.... Business is still bad, bankruptcy is taking place. The National Credit Bank has deposited its balance sheet and has just been raised by the Crédit Industrielle et Commercial and the Crédit Foncier. Life is really declining; unemployment is increasing. All the department stores and factories are sending staff. Jean Bousquet is very bored, his house is losing money every day. Mr Bousquet has been closing the mines that his company has in Tunisia! You are better in Rosario!

.....The old uncle is less trained. When he's well he still thinks he's 20! He kisses you all, and now he thinks he's a little bit dead !

Paris25Nov.1931-Wednesday

 ....John left for Colonia on November 11, where he was going to see, he said, the installation for the summer. When this letter arrives, you will soon be able to go to the Riachuelo....How lucky that your brother and sister could give you asylum! It is better than a diamond this corner of Uruguay which allows you to spend a good summer. Unfortunately the poor dads will not be able to get away as easily as women and children. I regret it for them. Mrs Gilbert Hersent told me that she had visited the work and that it was going very well. Gilbert had got something advantageous for the company and hoped to remove the work in six months...

My good children, I had good news of your little colony by our Simon who took the time to write in Buenos Aires by going to drive the Gilbert Hersent; then by a good letter plane – received yesterday – from the great John, dated November 11, and finally by Mrs. Gilbert Hersent who phoned me to come and talk to me about you, and as I was very keen to see Mrs. Jean (Hersent) I told him that it would be me who would bother, and then I was sitting there at Malesherbes, talking about you between the mother and the girl....you were hot, but John's letter said to me that when he woke up in the morning, he noticed 5° in the spa. Devil of countries! and you will all be very careful. There is nothing more treacherous than these temperature variations, for the liver and the fragile intestines. ..

...I just learned this morning that our old Father Coulmain – 78 years old – I have just written to his wife who will resist badly, I fear, to such a hard test. You will do well to send my John, to Longueville (Calvados), remember, if Simone sends something, she should put under her name, born Simone Hausermann.

...The old uncle is fine, we went with himThursday to see the arenas discovered a few years ago by opening Monge Street. It's impressive but a little too restored in my opinion...
...Not seen Tantine who is struggling with workers, he has been enjoying all this summer in her apartment; she has all the trades and God knows what aria! J-en know what, I haven't yet returned to my room since my fireplace was repaired. Everything is done in small doses.

There are masses of apartments to rent, there are 2 in the house and 5 next door, this house has been owned by our owner for a few months. The ground floor in front of us is also for rent; it was still inhabited by the same South American. Bankruptcy follows one another and more of the pretty shops on Avenue V. Hugo closes with an empty display poster: "Bail to give up". The major stores are however preparing for Christmas parties; and there are announcements of representations, mechanical displays; boys promise....

 

ParisWednesday, December 2, 1931

....Thank you for having had the right idea of expanding these photos and annotated them, so I could understand them right away. I will show them to the "tio mio". For the moment he is in Brittany with Bousquet for some days. Both, good faithful friends have advised, as they always do, of their travel, so that I know, without doubt where to find them if need be.

...I'm leaving tomorrow for Vierville, I'll be back Saturday, I need to go see what our people are doing, there are bad habits taken that it's right not to let root.

Paris16 Xbre 1931Wednesday

...Paris is doing a little more right now, the shops are getting pretty and tempting, with a real price drop, we're seeing gifts at 5F to 10F at 20F, it didn't see. The stores are not crowded for that...

...Friday the good Tantine for lunch and 2 hours of good music with 4 hands. A whole symphony of Mendelssohn and Beethoven's heroic symphony. She is extraordinary this Tantine with her 80 years smiling and friendly; besides that her fingers have lost nothing of their virtuosity. She had twice in the theater in the week. I had Mrs Cordelle at lunch Sunday and we finished the afternoon at Trocadéro where the French Comedy played the Passant and the Misanthrope with the usual talent. Mrs. Cordelle left St-Cloudvendredi. Gaby married yesterday in all simplicity with her only parents and those of his wife. I had a beautiful azalea sent with the "thinks and wishes of all friends absent and those of their old mother". I don't forget the fraternal help that Gaby tsa gave, my John, at the time you needed it...

...Have you known that Emile Roullier was named ingr of the Pts and Ch. in Cherbourg. He is looking for a nice house to settle there and 4 children. It is a pity that you are not there either. He is busy with the work of the port. Hersent does not seem to have caught a sniff of it and yet 80 million were given to do it shortly, but willingly to agree to installed entrepreneurs. That was what your dear Father always aimed at by settling in qq, but Benezeth did not have the width of views necessary to predict further than the end of his nose...

ParisWednesday morning19 December 1931(to Cordelle and Hausermann)

...You decided to buy the Pathé Baby? I would like my 4 boys to have something from the street of Longchamp in their shoes....

Paris 30Xbre 1931Wednesday

 ....I hope that my Francis could send his plaster and that when this letter arrives the young band will smack without trouble on the beach or in the garden...

... Based on the information provided in the letter plane of the great John, I see that the Riachuelo is full of amenities to which we were hardly used 20 years ago, and it's very good. What blessing that little corner there! Have you found horses? and taken back the way to the beach with the tent?

...do you want to tell Grand Jean that I was able to give Mrs Cordelle the full sum he had appointed because her bank account was sufficiently large by paying off depreciated bonds....

....Marcel Hersent left Athens without having been able to get the least small million jobs, and ordered him to quickly liquidate the Piraeus.
....there is no work in sight, the five projects presented this summer- apart from Brest that is not yet given - have slammed in the hand. The port of Porto on which there was much count was given on one side to a Dutchman, on the other hand to a German. The Hersent came very far.... This did not prevent them from losing 1.200.000 F on the obligatory bond which had been paid the very day before the drop in the book. Georges Hersent was furious, it seems from this avatar. So, you stay in Brest's hope, you have also submitted to a small job (4 or 5 million) in Cherbourg these days, I don't know the result. It's not brilliant for the house and Marcel who is pessimistic in devil speaks nothing less than to close shop. He can do his mea culpa that one. All these details were given by Hébert on Sunday, I had been seeing them, and took them to a pastry shop to change them a little. They are good friends and with them I talked at length about you all, my dears.

...with the little ones and tonton we were seeing tantine, she was with her little Micheline, it was Christmas Eve and the parents were going to go with Claude's young household to make the New Year's Eve in a beautiful property of the Brie at a good painter who gathered a large number of friends, many of whom artists and writers (it was said to be brilliant). To comfort us not to be in it, I took everyone to the Bon Marché which has the specialty of huge cakes, measured lightnings per metre, which delights young appetites. Very few people in the shops and even around these windows where Parisian ingenuity realizes wonders...

Back to home