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Elisina Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, April 27, 1915

Paris.

April 27th 1915Tuesday.

Dearest Mildred,

One hundred children and twelve religieuses“Nuns.” are arriving suddenly at 2. p.m. I shall have to go to SèvresOne of the Oeuvre des enfants des Flandres (Children of Flanders Rescue Committee) refugee centers at the École Brazillier, in Sèvres, a southwestern suburb of Paris [updated March 2, 2020: This note originally indicated that the center in Sèvres was a vacant monastery at 67, rue de la Santé; this was the center in Paris]. directly after lunch, and I cannot foretell when I’ll be back, as I must set about satisfying their needs when I have ascertained them.

So I fear I must put you off. You will understand. Please let us meet soon, and compose a Committee for the Enfants des Flandres. Royall is their Honorary Secretary and I am the Lady in Charge.For Elisina's role in two charities established by Edith Wharton, the American Hostels for Refugees and the Oeuvre des enfants des Flandres, see letters of April 19, 1915; May 17, 1915; June 6, 1915; July 4, 1915; August 21, 1915; August 10, 1916; September 12, 1916; September 30, 1915; and October 6, 1915. Mildred Barnes Bliss served as vice president of the Comité franco-américain pour la protection des enfants de la frontière (Franco-American Committee for the Protection of Frontier Children), begun in August 1914, which established in France over twenty-five homes and a tuberculosis sanatorium to care for some 1,500 displaced or orphaned French, Belgian, and Alsatian children. The committee's president was Auguste F. Jacacci. See André Madet, Une oeuvre de guerre: Comité franco-américain pour la protection des enfants de la frontière (Paris, 1921). This is so sudden! as they say in books. It won’t look so sudden I hope, in a day or two.

My very best love, and an infinity of regrets. I shall think wistfully of you tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Yours ever and as ever,

Elisina.

Royall has drawn up the itinerary of your little journey,See letter of July 12, 1916. and he’ll leave it at your house as soon as he can—

 
Associated People: Edith Wharton; Royall Tyler
Associated Places: Paris (France)