In my short span I’ve heard all sorts of music but never anything like this. Here is Pep playing the zonophone with his mouth and accompanying himself on the guitar. The funny one, is like an overgrown jew’s-harp and sounds like a comb-a-phone. But the guitar! You remember Joe Pepino. He’s a typical Italian, meaning, of course, that he isn’t. But the warm blood of the sunny land demands expression, and finds it in his music. He is a master on the guitar. He has had his old one changed for a new one made according to his own ideas. It has great tone. You will hear more of Joe.
We have had a pretty fair day, Frank and I. Got up at 9:30 (cruel war) and went down to Paris to Mme. Grove, the kindly disposed lady who speaks French with a Scotch burr. Her husband does something or other for the British army (they have lived in Paris 17 years, but are British at heart) and his army seems to have its war on Sundays, also; therefore we haven’t met him yet, but I like him already. He reads lots of German, French and English books that recommend him.
We had a good dinner and then did a little K.P. They have a tiny apartment, and Sunday is “Jane’s” day out – also the other 6 days, so in order to get out quickly we all set to and finished things.
There were two other people there – a young and sad war widow, quite French, and a young French girl, lively and considerably anglicized. In the afternoon we went to view a large German railroad gun which is on exhibition. It was captured by the British. All Paris throngs to see it.
Then we went to Mlle. Berthe’s and had a light supper. She’s the French girl who is lively. She has an artistic little apartment which was so comfortable we hated to leave.
It was a fine day, not because the weather was good – it was raw and rainy but because Frank didn’t sing. I’ve discovered what’s the matter with him. He’s the greatest bromide that ever lived. I call him Dulcinea now, and the poor boy doesn’t know what it’s all about. Do you remember F.F.A.’s name for Dulcey’s brother? If you do, write it to me. Sylvia is likely to know it.
Next post September 27
Letters from Sidney Friend During The Great War 