Viewing page 84 of 150

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-82-

aircraft guns. To make matters worse from the valley came the piercing cry of a woman who could see bombs falling in the direction of a factory where her husband was working. Soon from below our hill rose columns of black smoke which the wind brought to our garden. Though accustomed to the trench and to watching the raiders, I found this morning's experience outstood all others. Antonio would insist on telling us where he thought the bombs were falling: on the Bomboli gardens, the Porta Romana right beneath our hill; where as they actually fell on the other side of the river. Again we thought all Florence was being destroyed. N. is very much affected by these raids. Her heart[[strikethrough]] a [[//strikethrough]]s, she says, and this is bad for her. I wish we had a very deep refuge where no noises could be heard, for I am sure it is the noise more than anything else that affects her.
May 13th We were walking along the Viale yesterday when the alarm sounded. We entered a public refuge some five metres under the road, the entrance of which can be seen across the valley from our garden. Standing with us in this long, narrow passage were simple folk on their way to work. When the bombs began falling a woman cried out 'Assassini!' and everyone else loudly echoed her. We felt uncomfortable. Not long ago such people were all for welcoming English and Americans. On leaving the passage we had to pass a troup of tram-car employés who are brought to this refuge every time by one