How much of Stein's wartime activities were motivated by the real exigencies of self-preservation in a dangerous environment can only be speculated upon. However, her loyalty to Pétain may have gone beyond expedience. She had been urged to leave France by American embassy officials, friends and family when that possibility still existed, but declined to do so. In an essay written for the Atlantic Monthly in November 1940, Stein wrote about her decision not to leave France: "it would be awfully uncomfortable and I am fussy about my food." Stein continued to praise Pétain after the war ended, this at a time when Pétain had been sentenced to death by a French court for treason.
how much of stein's wartime activities were motivated by the real exigencies of self-preservation in a dangerous environment can only be speculated upon however her loyalty to pétain may have gone beyond expedience she had been urged to leave france by american embassy officials friends and family when that possibility still existed but declined to do so in an essay written for the atlantic monthly in november 1940 stein wrote about her decision not to leave france "it would be awfully uncomfortable and i am fussy about my food" stein continued to praise pétain after the war ended this at a time when pétain had been sentenced to death by a french court for treason