MADAME ... has charge of a Cantine for Enfants Débiles (children below normal health) in one of the crowded quarters of Brussels. These cantines are dining-rooms where little ones come from the schools at eleven each morning for a nourishing meal. They form the chief department of the work of the “Little Bees,” a society which is taking care of practically all the children, babies and older ones, in this city, who are in one way or another victims of the war. And in July, 1916, they numbered about 25,000.
The cantines have been opened in every section of the city, in a vacant shop, a [34]cellar, a private home, a garage, a convent—in any available, usable place. But no matter how inconvenient1 the building, skilful2 women transform it at once into something clean and cheery. In the whole of Belgium I have never seen a run-down or dirty relief center. In some the kitchen is simply a screened-off corner of the dining-room, in others it is a separate and excellently equipped quarter. I visited one crowded cantine where every day the women had to carry up and down a narrow ladder stairway all the plates and food for over 470 children. But they have so long ago ceased to think in terms of “tiredness,” that they are troubled by the question suggesting it. And these are the women who have been for over nine hundred days now—shoulder to shoulder with the men—ladling out one and one-quarter million pints3 of soup, and cooking for, and scrubbing for, and yearning4 over, hundreds of thousands of more [35]helpless women and children, while caring always for their own families at home. If after a long walk to the cantine (they have neither motors nor bicycles) madame finds there are not enough carrots for the stew5, she can not telephone—she must go to fetch whatever ingredient she wants! Each cantine has its own pantry or shop with its precious stores of rice, beans, sugar, macaroni, bacon and other foodstuffs6 of the C. R. B., and in addition the fresh vegetables, potatoes, eggs and meat it solicits7 or buys with the money gathered from door to door, the gift of the suffering to the suffering.
The weekly menus are a triumph of ingenuity8; they prove what variety can be had in apparent uniformity! They are all based on scientific analysis of food values, and follow strictly9 physicians’ instructions. One day there are more grammes of potatoes, another more grammes of macaroni in the stew; one noon [36]there is rice for dessert, the next phosphatine and now a hygienic biscuit—a thick, wholesome10 one—as big as our American cracker11.
It was raining as I entered the large, modern tenement12 building which Madame had been fortunate enough to secure. I found on one side a group of mothers waiting for food to take home to their babies, and on the other the little office through which every child had to pass to have his ticket stamped before he could go upstairs to his dinner. This examining and stamping of cards by the thousand, day after day, is in itself a most arduous13 piece of work, but women accomplish it cheerfully.
READY FOR THE CHILDREN
A “Little Bees” cantine for sub-normal children
On the second floor, between two large connecting rooms, I found Madame, in white, superintending the day’s preparation of the tables for 1,662. That was the size of her family! Fourteen young women, with bees embroidered15 in the [37]Belgian colors on their white caps, were flying to and fro from the kitchen to the long counters in the hallway piled with plates, then to the shelves against the walls of the dining-room, where they deposited their hundreds of slices of bread and saucers for dessert. Some were hurrying the soup plates and the 1,662 white bowls along the tables, while others poured milk or went on with the bread-cutting. Several women were perspiring16 in the kitchens and vegetable rooms. The potato-peeling machine, the last proud acquisition which was saving them untold17 labor18, had turned out the day’s kilos of potatoes, which were already cooked with meat, carrots and green vegetables into a thick, savory19 stew. The big fifty-quart cans were being filled to be carried to the dining-room; the rice dessert was getting its final stirring. Madame was darting20 about, watching every detail, assisting in every department.
[38]
It was raining outside, but all was white, and clean, and inviting21 within. Suddenly there was a rush of feet in the courtyard below. I looked out the window: in the rain 1,662 children, between three and fourteen years, mothers often leading the smaller ones—not an umbrella or rubber among them—were lining22 up with their cards, eager to be passed by the sergeant23. These kind-hearted, long-suffering sergeants24 kept this wavering line in place, as the children noisily climbed the long stairway—calling, pushing. One little girl stept out to put fresh flowers before the bust25 of the Queen. Boys and girls under six crowded into the first of the large, airy rooms, older girls into the second, while the bigger boys climbed to the floor above. With much chattering26 and shuffling27 of sabots they slid along the low benches to their places at the long, narrow tables. The women hurried between the wiggling [39]rows, ladling out the hot, thick soup. The air was filled with cries of “Beaucoup, Mademoiselle, beaucoup!” A few even said “Only a little, Mademoiselle.” Everybody said something. One tiny, golden-haired thing pleaded: “You know I like the little pieces of meat best.” In no time they discovered that I was new, and tried slyly to induce me to give them extra slices of bread, or bowls of milk.
In this multitude each was clamoring for individual attention, and for the most part getting it. Very little ones were being helped to feed themselves; second portions of soup were often given if asked for. Madame seemed to be everywhere at once, lifting one after another in her arms to get a better look at eyes or glands28. Her husband, a physician of international reputation, was in the little clinic at the end of the hall, weighing and examining those whose turn it was to go to him that day. Later he came out and [40]passed up and down the rows to get an impression of the general condition of this extraordinary family. When for a moment husband and wife stood together in the middle of the vast room, they seemed with infinite solicitude29 to be gathering30 all the 1,662 in their arms—their own boy is at the front. And all the time the 1,662 were rapidly devouring31 their bread and soup.
Then began the cries of “Dessert, Mademoiselle, dessert!” Tired arms carried the 1,662 soup plates to the kitchen, ladled out 1,662 portions of rice, and set them before eager rows. Such a final scraping of spoons, such fascinating play of voice and gesture—then the last crumb32 eaten, they crowded up to offer sticky hands with “Merci, Mademoiselle” and “Au revoir.” The clatter33 of sabots and laughter died away through the courtyard, and the hundreds started back to school.
[41]
The strong American physician, who had helped ladle the soup, tried to swing his arm back into position. I looked at the women who had been doing this practically every day for seven hundred days. Madame was apparently34 not thinking of resting—only of the next day’s ration14.
I discovered later that at four o’clock that afternoon she had charge of a cantine for four hundred mothers and their new babies, and that after that she visited the family of a little boy who was absent, according to the children, because his shirt was being washed.
All attempts to express admiration35 of this beautiful devotion are interrupted by the cry, “Oh, but it is you—it is America that is doing the astonishing thing—we must give ourselves, but you need not. Your gift to us is the finest expression of sympathy the world has known.”
[42]
II
Before Madame ... was made director of the cantine for 1,662, she had charge of one in a still poorer quarter of the city. I went to look for it on Assumption Day, the day of the Ascent36 of the Blessed Virgin37. I knew the street, and as usual, the waiting line of children in front told the number. Scrubbed cheeks, occasional ribbon bows and cheap embroidery38 flounces showed the attempt of even these very poor mothers to celebrate their fête day. Throughout the city, those fortunate enough to be called Mary were being presented with flowers, which since the war have been sold at extremely low prices, for the flowers still grow for Belgium, who supplied the markets of Europe before she was besieged39.
From early morning we had seen old and young carrying great sheaves of phlox and roses, or pots of hortensia, to [43]some favorite Mary. But these little ones had no flowers, yet they were gay, as Belgian children invariably are—always ready with the swiftest smiles and outstretched hands, or with a pretty song if one asks for it. Little tots of three know any number of the interminable chansons familiar in France and Belgium. They chattered40 and laughed, caught my hand as I went down the stairs—for this dining-quarter is below the sidewalk, in rooms that are known as “caves.” I was prepared for something dark and cheerless, instead I found the whitewashed41 walls gay with nursery pictures and Belgian and American flags. The long tables were covered with bright red-and-white checked oilcloth. The small windows opening just above the sidewalk allowed sufficient light and air to keep everything fresh. The kitchen was immaculate—shelves for shining vessels42, others for the sacks of sugar, boxes of [44]macaroni. On a table stood the inevitable43 scales—Thursday is weighing day, when one of the best physicians of Brussels examines the children, recording44 the weights that form the basis for judgment45 as to the success of the ration.
The 430 bowls of milk were already on the tables. Madame ... was hurrying about among her helpers—twelve faithful Belgian women. They had all been there since eight o’clock, for this was a viande day (there are three a week) and when there is meat that must be cut into little pieces for between four and five hundred children, it means an early start. Two women were still stirring (with long wooden spoons) the great tub full of savory macaroni and carrots—a test in itself for muscle and endurance. The meat was in separate kettles. The bread had been cut into over 400 portions. The phosphatine dessert (of which the children can not get enough) was already [45]served at a side table. The “Little Bees” originated this phosphatine dessert, which is a mixture of rice, wheat and maize—flour, phosphate of lime and cocoa. They have a factory for making it, and up to August, 1916, had turned out 638,000 kilos.
A gentleman in black frock suit and large hat came in to look about, and then went back to the lengthening46 line. Madame explained that he was the principal of the communal47 school of the quarter, and that he came every day to keep the children in order. I learned, too, that on every single day of the vacation, which had begun and was to continue until the middle of September, he and one of his teachers went to the school to distribute to all the school children the little roll of white bread that they are allowed at eight-thirty each morning. Many of these have but little at home. This roll helps them out until the cantine meal at eleven[46]-thirty, which can be had only on a physician’s authorization48. From now on a larger meal is to be given in the schools—a joy not only to the pupils but to their teachers, who everywhere are devoting themselves to this work of saving their children. Several of the younger women helping49 Madame had been working wearily all the year in the professional schools, but as soon as their vacations arrived, begged to be allowed to give their time to the cantines. They were all most attractive in their white aprons50 and caps—most serious in their attention to the individual wants of that hungry family.
A few minutes later the principal appeared again—all was ready now. Then the little ones began to march in. They came by way of an anteroom, where they had their hands washed, if they needed washing—and most of them did—and quite proudly held them up as they passed [47]by us. They were of all sizes between three and fourteen. One pale little fellow was led in by his grandmother who was admitted (tho no mothers or grandmothers are supposed to come inside), because he wailed51 the minute she left him. It was easy to see why mothers could not be allowed, tho one was glad the rule could be broken, and that this sad, white-faced grandmother could feed her own charge. It was terrible, too, to realize what that plate of savory stew would have meant to her, and to see that she touched no morsel52 of it. Even if there had been an extra portion, the women could not have given it to her: the following day the street would have been filled with others, for whom there could not possibly be extra portions.
If a child is too ill to come for its dinner, a member of the family can carry it home. Practically all the cantines have a visiting nurse who investigates such [48]cases, and keeps the number much lower than it would otherwise be.
When I asked Madame how she was able to give so much time (from about 8 A.M. till 1 or 2 P.M. every day of the year), she smiled and shrugged53 her shoulders: “But that is the least one can do, the very least! One never thinks of the work, it is of the children—and we know they love us—we see them being kept alive! Some of them are getting stronger—these weaklings. What more can we wish?”
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inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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pints
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| n.品脱( pint的名词复数 )；一品脱啤酒 | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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foodstuffs
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| 食物，食品( foodstuff的名词复数 ) | |
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solicits
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| 恳请 | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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cracker
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| n.（无甜味的）薄脆饼干 | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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ration
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| n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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untold
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| adj.数不清的，无数的 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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sergeants
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| 警官( sergeant的名词复数 )； （美国警察）警佐； （英国警察）巡佐； 陆军（或空军）中士 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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28
glands
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| n.腺( gland的名词复数 ) | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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crumb
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| n.饼屑，面包屑，小量 | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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embroidery
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| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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communal
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| adj.公有的，公共的，公社的，公社制的 | |
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authorization
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| n.授权，委任状 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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50
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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51
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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53
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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