April 22, 1919

Today is cool and sunny. The tree outside the window of my room is a very backward tree and it is literally bursting into green. For all of these reasons I feel very springy and not so heavy as last time I wrote. Also the grippe has gone the way of all evil and is now suffering for its sins against me. Pretty bright world.

The first convoy left this morning. It consisted of one MSE about to rate his fourth service stripe, one sergeant first class who knows the general, two privates who arrived in France Nov. 5, but whose home necessities are urgent, and some lieutenant. They go to Washington.

People are getting out here every day on the score of jobs in Europe or dependent wives or families. The thing is crumbling.

Today Lt. Cushing went downtown to get his orders; I haven’t seen him since. There was a sudden change, and instead of being discharged on this side he will be ordered to the states on duty. I expect he’ll leave right away.

That changes things for me also, I suppose. It depends largely on what his duty turns out to be. I shall run the department. If he is going over to distribute our pictures I’m going to have to remain here to pick them; for a while, at least. Once there he may be able to get me over, too, which is the first step toward getting out. I really ought not to talk until I have seen him and got the dope. It is hard to judge whether that is likely to hasten or delay my return.

Fred Eldridge, on account of what the army classifies as a dependent wife, has been sent to a discharge camp. I’m not certain whether he’s to get out over here or to be returned to the states for discharge.

Huston and Edouart are discharged. Both are with the Red Cross. Huston is to go to the Balkans and Edouart to Germany – the same 6 month contract that Ernie had.

Frank is out somewhere again taking pictures. He has been gone two weeks and will stay another, I believe. I have just been to Bellamys’ for the first time in about two weeks. They are very nice and are really kind to me. They wouldn’t let me stay, but said I’d been sick and must go home to bed. I’m not sick at all now. Quite well. So I am upon the bed, not in it, and writing. There is no trace in their home of any conflict, the possibility of which I broached to you some time ago. If there was one I am sure it was mental, in which case Mme. certainly was not bested. It was probably her victory that caused her distress.

Next post April 25.