Sat 15. [15 February 1902] Father very bad. We left Marsala without
regret at 10 by the Florio boat Imera and breakfasted on board soon
after leaving. At Mazzara [Mazara del Vallo] came on Mr and Mrs
Round, he a pleasant scholarly person and she a nice woman with a
sweet expression. Spent the day reading to Father and talking to
them. At 4 we passed Sciacca a most charming high built town. We
dined at 5.30 and reached Porto Empedocle at 7.15. But what with
disembarking, buying medicaments at the chemist's (the whole town
assisting and one, a doctor giving good advice - the original
prescription was the steward's!) and an interminable drive, we did not
reach the Hotel des Temples till 10. Most comfortable. We found a
large post. Furious storm in the night.