Raining and a very high wind.
Had breakfast and got busy washing dishes, towels, and scrubbed the tables. Made about one hundred biscuits, baking a dozen at a time. Making the fudge and keeping the fire going kept me busy. It took all morning. Ens. did the errands and was kept on the run. The Major went for a piano. Got some of the boys to bring some wood and saw it and get some water. They worked fine, cleaning up after cutting the wood.
Put the tank on at four and hung some curtains and lit the lamps.
Made some coffee and served it and biscuits and jam and it went fine. Served about 14 gallons of coffee. Had a great time, and the boys enjoyed themselves very much. Had a hard time closing. They were delighted with the piano. The men who went to get it were glad to get near the fire. We had them to supper with us. One was only 17 years old and seemed not to want to leave. He said it was the best meal he had has since he left home and his eyes were filled. My heart felt sad for him.
It is great time when we take the coffee out. They do enjoy it.
Went home tired and happy.
Our hut: The hut is built on the foundation of a house that burnt down about seventeen years ago. Houses are built to stay here. The entrance is five stone steps with a fine iron railing. The hut is about 27 feet wide and 150 feet long. There are 26 windows 2 by 2 and one half feet, and they open like shutters. Three doors on each side and two big ones at the end. The lumber is numbered and is put together in sections according to number. It takes about two days to erect one.
It is furnished with eight large oil lamps at one end in the counter, and back of that the quarters. There are about 24 tables and 48 benches. Along the sides are writing tables under the windows, and there are games of all kinds, papers and books, a piano, and graphophone. This hut is owned by The Salvation Army.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 