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Correspondence from Ninette Shumway to Norman Mudd
[EXTRACT]
[circa December 1924]
Marino learned about it [that Crowley had sent her 450 francs], followed me to the post office, attempted to stop payment if I did not give him a share of it. Very much angered I refused and we quarrelled. He came this morning to treat me amicably and I was forced to concede. He took Beast's desk, giving me 50 lire cash and deducting the rest from the bill. Spallino took the tea table for which he is to give me 150 lire, half cash, half deducted from the bill.
Of course we get no meat, eggs, tea or coffee at all. It is getting hard. . . . I get bread on credit. If I do not sell something, I shall have nothing tomorrow—no charcoal, no kerosene. Beast told me to expect more money soon. I do wish I could give something to our milkman, so that he does not cut us off completely. We have not suffered from hunger so far although deprived of many things. Howard [Howard Shumway] alone is a bit pale, looking as though he needed red meat. I am fine but growing awfully sick of this state of affairs. I suppose you are all worse off than we are. Your letters are very scarce. Can you not afford postage for one little note?
I can maintain myself on one pound a week if necessary, if the pound is about 100 lire. Mimi [Isabella Shumway] is about the same. The house is too cold for her to get better quickly. I cannot keep her warm even in bed.
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