Stuk 127 - Letter from Maria Germanova to Elizabeth Trevelyan

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26 rue de la Tourelle, Boulogne s[ur]/Seine. - Wrote yesterday to Mr Trevelyan and had the urge to chat to them; pictured their house and them clearly when she was writing so she is continuing today in order 'to stay there again'. Also wanted to tell Mrs Trevelyan about a charming place, excellent for rest: Bagnoles sur l'Orne. Took a very short cure there because of her sister, who came to Paris this autumn to get well: she drove her there, but had to leave her to go and act at Vichy. Returning a week later, she was struck by the improvement in her sister, and she herself seemed to benefit from her short stay there. Describes the surroundings and the treatments available there. Thought of Mrs Trevelyan and recommends the place if she would like a cure. Men also take cures there; mainly priests who suffer from being on their feet a great deal.

This summer has passed quickly: she appeared three times at Vichy, spent two weeks at Bagnoles with her sister, and between these visits spending time with André [her son], at home working at a factory, and her sister. Was very glad to see her son after three years. Unfortunately she could not take a rest cure at Bagnoles since she had to act at Lyons, and it is only now that her sister and son have gone and she, 'also unfortunately' has no work that she can rest a little; but she feels much better. She is busy 'knocking on the doors' of theatres, directors and cinemas looking for work. They had news from [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy two or three weeks ago, having been very worried about him because of the typhoon in Japan; André even went to the English shipping company to ask about his ship. Poor Suhrawardy is very lonely over there; he 'rejoiced like a child in his voyage', and she is very glad he made it. André received a very good certificate from the factory where he did voluntary work this summer; it appears that his work was so useful that after he left they invited a young engineer to continue it. She would like him to be a 'good man as well as a good engineer'; asked Mr Trevelyan in her letter yesterday to help him with his naturalisation; also asks Mrs Trevelyan to be André's friend and support him, which he deserves: he is very conscientious and works hard. He is 'amorous' by nature, but talks of his 'foolish experience' with Elvyra [?] as a good lesson; she still fears however that women are 'always a danger' despite his experiences. He was very kind, attentive and affectionate this summer. A shame she could not see Julian and his wife on either of their two visits to Paris since she was out of town. She thinks often of the Trevelyans.

• Frans