File:Erica (Thorp) de Berry to Thorp family, 21 January 1917 (4a1f0b0f-ae99-4cc4-a036-c806b6b92e0f).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1006/004.006.002-005#004

[printed letterhead: Pine Mountain Settlement School]
Jan. 21st 1917
Dearest Family,
A sad change has come in our fortunes. – We have decided that Edith will have to go off somewhere for awhile to get back her strength, for since Christmas she has not gained at all and without the right food and proper care and comfort there is no prospect of her making any progress.
She has tried so pluckily to win out, but the physical odds are too great. Since the beginning she has steadily overdone, it seems, in spite of our efforts to adjust things just right, but no one realized how completely she had used up every bit of reserve
[written cross on L margin and top]
And now Miss de Long is almost with you – Could you send in the car for her, after my failure before ---- tho’ the idea of Miss de Long in a limousine makes me almost laugh! Still, I know it would save her (crossed out: lots) just that extra wear and tear – a heartful of love from your Bun (p.2) till she seemed unable to get back any strength after grippe – We hoped and hoped that weeks of rest and quiet would set her right again – but it didn’t seem to have any real effect; so now she’s going to a place in So. Carolina – a club like Pinehurst[?], only smaller and more secluded, to rest for two months, anyway, with the hope of coming back here for a visit before the summer. This seemed a far better solution than for her to go home, for that would seem more nearly a final admission of defeat, whereas we hope that this arrangement may mean only a temporary change with the hope of return ahead.
Of course it’s terribly hard for her – but she’s been so brave and patient and enduring ! –
If the Storers can arrange to have Emily come down right away to be with her,
[printed letterhead: Pine Mountain Settlement School]
(p.3) Edith is going out with Dr. Little next week. If not, I am going to take her later after Miss de Long gets back and I can get away for a week perhaps.
The final decision was, of necessity, sudden, but Dr. Little and I have realized since Christmas that things might have to end this way. Her advice and good cheer have been so inexpressibly helpful, and have made all the difference in the world to Edith and me.
I only hope the Storers won’t worry too much. They haven’t seemed to realize things at all, in spite of our letters – The great, outstanding blessing is that the (p.4) breakdown is physical, not mental, --as before, and proper care and rest, free from the strain of [crossed out: work] not being able to keep up with her environment, ought to set her on her feet again.
All this has been [crossed out: the] our chief absorption this last week. A new worker came in on Monday, an English girl who’s been living with the Bryants in N.Y—very charming, full of ideas and with such a background of experiences. She’s helping in the office, at present, but may end up in the teaching “department.”
Mama, the sweater is a perfect wonder! It’s the admiration of the whole school and my own pride and delight! Where did you find such a beauty! One of the other workers wants to order one instantly[?].
I’ve been wearing my other sweater every minute of every day, and a change is so blissful.
The home letters have been so wonderful this week – What times you’ve had, with Billy Sunday and the rest. –

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