Elevator and Electric Lights!
Hotel Bristol
Proprrs J. Djirah & G. Hadjaras
Constantinople
Chauffage Central, Ascenseur, Lumiere Electrique
Telephone 501
Constantinople, le March 24, 1914
Sallie dearest:
We found lots of mail waiting for us here – a letter to father and one to me from you, which cheered me up a lot. Just the other day I was thinking of what I would do when I got home. I’ve never been there long enough to really get interested in carrying out any plans or doing anything really worth while, so I resolved to do anything I was asked to. I mean in the way of helping to train the youngsters for Christmas, etc. I’ve always backed out before, but I’ve decided it’s best not to. So suppose the Women’s Club business comes under that heading, and if you think I can do what they want me to, all right. I accept the honor in fear and trembling. Next summer, Angel dear, in fact all the rest of my life with you I’m going to lean entirely on you, and whatever you say goes, so don’t bother to ask my opinion about anything. Just judge for yourself, and be sure I’ll be of the same mind.
It’s dreadful to make a reputation for oneself, and then have to live up to it. I seem to always impress people as being awfully independent – especially did Mrs. Chandler think so – and the result was that I had to take the lead in everything, manage and arrange all our affairs, and decide every question. I suppose it is because most dependent people will look for help and support from anyone or anything, while I center all my weight on you.
You are the only one to whom I can give myself up completely, and know that my soul would be safer with you than even myself. I have thought for myself and have had my own way undisputed so long that I’m dead tired of it, and think it will be a good thing for me to walk the chalk line a while. So I’m at you feet after June 12th to do your bidding whatever it may be.
Such a lovely letter from Mary came in this mail with the picture of her and Sara, who is perfectly adorable, and I’m all the more crazy to see her – oh! she is sweet. They are here on my desk now, and Mary looks as happy as a queen. Mrs. Wiegenstein just sent us such a cute picture of [Don] taken in his little baseball suit. He is two and a half years old now, and is a perfect whale. Another letter was from Mrs. Farrow begging us to visit them before they left in April, but it is quite out of the question, as we are planning to be there not before early May. I am so sorry, for I should love to see them all again, and should like to have had father know them and see their beautiful home.
Lover is not only having his French tutor, but he and a Frenchman have taken an apartment together, and are going to keep house. They have excellent servants and are very cozy and much happier than boarding. They speak French all the time, so I suppose he will land home with quite an accent. He’ll have to come down to earth though, before he reaches me, for I hate anything French – accent, language, customs, manners, people and all! And love the English, whom he heartily dislikes.
I wonder if you know that Capt. Fullam is now in Annapolis, Superintendent of the Naval Academy. There are loads of Navy people spending the winter in Rome, Florence, etc. whom father hopes to see, if we happen to go to Italy – which I doubt, unless it is very cold in Vienna.
I hate to seem blasé and very much traveled, but to you I must say that the Orient has spoiled me for Europe, although I shall try not to appear so to others. I was in just this same frame of mind ten years ago when we came to Italy from China. There, as in all those Eastern countries, the people are happy or at least determined to make the best of their lot, while here there is always fighting, noise, horses falling and the drivers beating them, fast women and dissipated men. Apparently everyone struggling against each other and all in vain. Then, too, I think no clothes in the world look so disgusting when they are ragged and dirty as ours or Europeans. Of course in the tropics the people wear so few that they are almost always at least decent, but even in China and Manchuria and Japan the very lowest class look far superior to the poverty stricken around here.
This morning we visited the famous Mosque of St. Sophia, and it is certainly well worth seeing, and one that I shall never forget. The hotels here are very poor, considering the size and importance of Constantinople, but I suppose better ones will come in time. The harbor and entrance here are beautiful – the most imposing I’ve ever seen and I think surpass the much-talked-of Sydney harbor.
Goodnight. I love you bushels, and here’s a kiss.
Alice
