Viewing page 101 of 150

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

- 98 -

the villa, it will probably, in the meantime be filled with soldiers. The Sfollati are planning to leave 'pour quelques jours.' It would seem that life must show its culmination of fury, even as we await death. Have we been driven to meet this tragic dénouement, or have we sought to meet it unconsciously, of our own accord?
July 31st We were promised an even fiercer battle for last night, the final attempt of the English to enter Florence, but contrary to expectations the night passed quietly enough and only this morning did we learn that on the night before last the Germans had sent the English some eight kilometres back. All points to the conflict beginning anew and with the same violence.
My household showed signs of exhaustion, so I told them to try to sleep during the afternoon. Antonio wishing to make quite sure of a rest shut the shutters on the street, saying that as the German soldiers were about to march through Via S.Leonardo, no one should even look out of the windows. But N. instead of resting rushed off to see her friend-for-life and there being told that no soldiers were expected to march by, she kindly invited the little French girl and a little friend of hers, both staying with our neighbour, to come back with her for their 'gouté'. The result was that the tired maid had to get up to open the door and Antonio, instead of sleeping dealt out bread and jam, both of which are hard to