Mrs. Raffin was already in Milan working when Assunta
got there. Emilia worked for a very large family and
only saw Assunta on Sundays. The only contact they had
with their mother was through writing letters. She
compares her work as a domestic to being a prisoner.
Emilia remembers that celebrations at that time were
scarce because of lack of money. They were living on the
bare necessities. Her time in Milan was miserable, she
has no good memories of this period in her life.
She remembers religion and prayer being an important
part of life. The town that was close to their farm was
a nice looking place.
The town they usually went to church at was called
Casasca. Although their farm was part of a small cluster
of houses that belonged to Valvazone, Casasca was
closer.
She was told by other people that there was nothing in
Canada, so Emilia was a little reluctant to go. However,
the depression was happening at this time, so they were
happy to get away from the work they were doing.