PARIS, November 1.
[DEAREST ONE:]
Today is "moving" day, and I feel like — — censored
word, at the thought of your having the moving to direct and
manage by yourself. I can picture Barney and Burke loading,
and unloading, and coal and wood being stored, and provisions
and ice, and finally Hope brought down to take her
third — no — fourth motor ride. And God will see she makes it
all safely, and that in her new house you are comfortable.
Last night I dreamed about Hope and you, a long dream,
and it made me so happy. Something happened today that you
will like to hear. When the war came the French students at
the Beaux Arts had to go to
fight. The wives and children had nothing to live on. So,
the American students, about a dozen of them, organized a
relief league. The Beaux Arts is in a most wonderful palace
built by Cardinal Richelieu and decorated later by Napoleon.
In this they were gathering socks, asphyxiating masks, warm
clothes. They were hand painting postcards for fifty cents
apiece. The "masters" as they call their teachers, also were
painting them. I gave them some money which was received
politely, but, as it would not go far, without much
enthusiasm. As I was going, I said, "I'll be back tomorrow to
get some facts and I'll write a story about what you're doing.
"This is the part that is embarrassing to write, but you will
understand. They gave a cheer and a yell just as though I had
said, "Peace is declared" or "I will give you Carnegie's
fortune." And they danced around, and shook hands, and
Whitney Warren, who is at the head of it, all but cried.
Later, he told me the letter I had written for his wife's fund
for orphans by the war had brought in $5000, that was why they
were so pleased. So we, you and I, will try to look at it
that way, and try to believe that from this separation, which
is cruel for us, others may get some benefit. Tomorrow, I am
to be received at the Elysee by the President, and I am going
to try to make him say something that will draw money from
America for the French hospitals. If he will only ask, I know
our people will give. In a day or two, I think I will be
allowed to see something, but, that you will know best by
reading
The Times.
Your loving husband is lonely for you, and so it will be
always.
RICHARD.
