Mary S.W. Pollard diaries

The children have helped me splendidly & we got everything ready for the Book Club to-night ourselves—lemonade, cakes, sausage rolls, etc. M^rs. Lapham came at 7.15 & made coffee & sandwiches & washed up. Caro dressed up in cap & apron & opened the door & lots of people did not recognize her! Gt. success altogether. Evening on Hugh Walpole.

April 12^th.

April 14^th.

Marg. C. & Ruthie gave us an entertainment with their theatre—"The Mistletoe Bough"—also a little music & refreshments. It was very well done, Ruthie doing the reading instead of Caro this time. It was a charming performance.

April 15^th.

Had a young people's party 7.30–10.0. Let Caro sit up. Some of cakes over from Book Club, but made fresh sausage rolls, etc, & had fruit salad too. Had 11 people—Leonard Peto, 2 Sacrets, 2 Saxtons, 2 Stansfields, Beth Cumber (who stayed night) Mary Gilford, Clifford Talbot & Raymond Robson.

Played throwing cards in hat first, then had musical game—supper 8.15, then songs & music, (F. & Joan Sacret sang a duet) then bottle game, & chumps, etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

17^th. Sat.

M. & C. went to a young Friends' gathering at Sibford till Tuesday. About 40 there & they had a splendid time, games, lectures & walks. C. got very tired with sitting up late, but loved it all, & made gt friends with May Harrod.

I forgot to say that on April 16^th. Ruthie went to stay with Molly Adams (arranged only the day before!) at a Bungalow The Quest—East Wittering, n^r. Chichester. It was a pouring day. I took her by bus to Wokingham where we met a maid who was going & they travelled together.

April 20^th.

Frank & I started at 7.30 in Howard Smith's car (Frank Lambourne also) for Sibford Q.M. The drive there exquisite, got there about 10.0. Must have passed M. & C. on the way going to the station to go home from their week-end at Sibford. Interesting Q.M. & any nice Friends there. Began to pour & cold wet drive home. Tyre burst, so did not get back till 8.0. Rob. & Margy out at M^rs. Timm's—Caro in & stayed up to supper to tell us about Sibford.

Ap. 21^st.

22^nd.

24^th.

Ap. 26^th.

M^rs. Lapham never came & I had to do the washing. At 6.20 I met Ruthie. She has had a happy time with the Adams' but says she was very homesick. She had one bathe, all alone—Molly dared her to do it!

27^th.

28^th.

C. & R. went back to school. Very cold wet weather. We have gone back to fires. R. & I to good orchestral concert. Tchakowsky pathetique sonata.

May 3^rd.

At last a warm day. I had to do the washing again. After a great struggle for peace with the coal-owners & miners was was declared last night & to-day at 12.0 midnight heaps of other trades are going on strike to make it difficult to do things—railwaymen, electricians, gas, etc—only trains to be run for food—we are to be rationed for coal, etc. Trams, buses, tubes, etc, will stop. It is quite alarming.

May 12^th.

The Strike stopped (except the miners.) On the whole both sides have acted splendidly, & there has not been much rioting. The Gov^t. would not renew negotiations till the Strike was called off, but Herbert Samuel got a formula which enabled the Labour Leaders to do this, & then the gov^t. began to negotiate. We, personally have suffered very little inconvenience, but it has caused a very great deal to trade, etc, & much hardship too. It was curious to see the trams run by volunteers with a policeman behind them or special constable. There were very few trams, & at first very few trains. These things & the food transport were managed wonderfully well in the end. There have been one or two attempts to wreck trains.

I am convener of the Hospitality Committee for the Peacemakers Pilgrimage which was started before the Strike. It is like the old Suffrage Pilgrimage—this time for Peace.

May 17^th.

Very long Com^tee & then business meeting of Reading's Music Club & a good deal of music.

Minnie & I spring cleaned the drawing room & got it nearly finished by 4.30 & beautifully clean. F. helped with books etc. V. tiring day.

May 18^th.

" 20^th.

May 21^st.

Friday. M^rs. Lay came & she & Minnie with my help got the dining room spring cleaned. We went the carpet to Heelas!

22^nd.

Took children to the Baths which were very cold. Aft. really warm at last. Started at 2.0, walked to Sonning & got tea at Lock House in the garden (1/- each) then a steamer coming into the Lock we jumped on it & came to Reading Lock, walked home arriving about 6.0 I think. It was jolly. I let the children have supper with me—Robert went to York this morning for O.S. Frank joining him from Manchester at Burton Croft.

23^rd. Sunday.

24^th. Whit Monday.

Few trains running, as coal strike still on. Dia came & we went for 10.0 train, (Minnie out in aft. & evening after doing rooms out) but had to get a bus to Pangbourne. There Dia & children bathed. Then took a boat for 3 hours (Dia's affair very kindly) & rowed up river. Perfect day as regards weather. Lovely lunch. Home at 4.0 & dear B. & B. went to see Dia before supper.

30^th. Sunday.

B. B. & I to see Dia, & Ber & I called on M^rs. H. Smith, but cd only see baby. Bowes had to go by 6.45 train.

31^st. Monday.

I washed a bit before breakfast, then town with B. then finished the washing. Went to see her off at Ľ to 3.0 but train fearfully late (so few running because of coal strike) that I had to come home as I had a Com^tee at 5.30 about the Peace Pilgrimage which lasted till nearly 8.0. It has been lovely having B. & B. I've hardly ever enjoyed them so much before. Poor B. has gone to a nursing home (all alone & she has never seen it) to have an operation for rupture on Wednesday.

June 2^nd.

8^th.

9^th.

Robt. & I went on river for an hour. When we returned Jeanie was here. Colin, Dia & a friend of Colin's to tea—then C. & his friend motored away.

10^th.

Town with Jeanie. Ices. Aft. to opening of new Carmelite Convent by Cardinal Bourne.

11^th.

Aft. to Prospect Park with J. to welcome the Pilgrims. 10 or 11 of them. V. few people to meet them. Tea. Photographed. I got them allotted to their different hostesses. Caro, Ruthie, Margaret Shortt & Jocelyn Archibald came up & had tea together. Then at 7.15 we all started with banners & flags & a band & walked to the Town Hall—Mayor in chair, but only small meeting. Miss Helen Ward good.

12^th.

Sat. Jeanie took children to town where they got ices & brought back heaps of cakes.

13^th.

Sun. Meeting. Aft. procession with band to Thames Side. V. poor, & it began to pour. Small meeting held under trees. Evening at 8.0 splendid large religious meeting in Forbury Gardens. Helen Ward spoke & ministers prayed etc. Fortunately the rain had stopped.

14^th.

Jeanie & I started with the Pilgrims from Market Place at 10.30—good procession. Walked to Sonning. She & I picnic'ed by river in sun. Then meant to have meeting, but it began to pour & only Archdeacon & 1 lady came, so he showed us all the Vicarage grounds. Then the Pilgrims went on to Twyford; fair now & J. & I went part way, then turned back & got a 6^d tea at the Lock House—then by steamer to Reading & it poured again!

15^th.

Jeanie went at Ľ to 8.0. It has been lovely having her. I am glad the Pilgrimage is over here, & am v. tired. The Hospitality has meant a lot of work, tho' 2 other ladies helped a lot.

16^th.

Wed. At last a really fine Wed. & no wind, so R. & I started cycling at 2.30 for Shottesbrooke—got there about 4.0—saw the interesting old church—then to Waltham St. Laurence & saw the church there. had tea at the "Star" near there in a lovely little garden. V. nice indeed, good bread & butter & milk from landlady's farm & tea etc. 1/- each. Home at 6.30. About 20 miles altogether. V. nice, interesting ride.

19^th. June.

By 8.45 to London. Evie met me & we went to see Ber in nursing home. Lunched at a veg. place & at 2.15 met others at Earl's Court & walked in procession with 2 bands & banners to Hyde Park. Hot & tiring, but quite exciting. There the Pilgrimage ended in speeches from about 22 platforms. I also hope it has done good. Evie went to Croydon & I got back to Reading about 8.0 very tired.

June 23^rd.

Rob. & I left at 2.20 & cycled thro' Henley to Hurley where we saw a Saxon church & wonderful remains of a monastery, crypt, fish ponds, pigeon house, subterranean passage, etc. Tea at the old Bell Inn & home at 7.20—about 24 or 25 miles.

June 25^th.

Prince of Wales in Reading. C. R. & I saw him splendidly on his arrival at bottom of Denmark Rd. We all saw him during the day, & Ella gave me a ticket for the College where he was presented with an address & read a reply. He seemed terribly nervous. It was quite painful, but in his car he looked happy & friendly, taking off his hat. The children were delighted with him & he has a nice face.

July 6^th.

Royal Agricultural Show here. King & Queen came, & we all saw them several times.

July 10^th.

F. & I, C. & Ruthie, to the Show. Very interesting. Had dinner, of sorts, there!

July 16^th.

Friday. Still glorious hot weather. C. had not had a birthday party, so we took her & Ruthie & 5 of her friends, & one of Ruthie's to Caversham where we had a lovely picnic tea by the river, & then at 6.0 Robert & a young German, M^r. Schäfer, joined us, & we went for an hour to Mapledurham & back in a motor launch.

26^th.July.

Monday. Heard about 9.30 a.m. that Margaret has passed Matric. We are so delighted. Aft. F. & I to the school to see some of the girls do scenes from 'Pride & Prejudice'. V. good. Tea first. C. never came to speak to us, absorbed in her friends! but Ruthie got us seats & jumped about very excited.

28^th.

Children broke up & went to tea at Jocelyn Archibald's. F. R. & I cycled to Sonning, got double sculler & started soon after 3.0 for Patrick Stream. Quite exciting. Took tea with us. Got home about 7.20.

29^th.

F. & I cycled with wind ˝ against us to near Hermitage (18 miles) to have tea with the Childs's. We started at 1.35 & got there at 4.0. Lovely house wh. they built with their own hands & glorious situation. Cycled to Newbury 5 miles & got 7.0 train back.

Aug. 2^nd. Bank Holiday.

Aug. 3^rd.

Tues. Hurried over breakfast & washing up—then Robt. & I walked to station—others by taxi—caught the 9.39 train to Haverford West. V. crowded—Ruthie & I together, R. & F.; & Caro by herself; she got a seat in our carriage while we had sandwiches, & then we gave them to F. & R. At 2.0 we changed at Whitland. Arrived H. West about 3.15 & found no bus till 5.0, so had to go into the little town & get tea, & Robt. & I went to see outside of castle. V. hot. At 5.0 started in noisy bus for 15 miles drive to near St. David's. Our address is:_

Put down at a long lane & walked to the pretty little white roofed farm in a glorious situation with great view of sea & islands, & no other house within 10 mins. walk! The maid Mary & little Nora came out to meet us & then M^rs. Rees, who had been to the other station with the pony & trap. It was about 6.30. After 7.0 we had supper & at 8.30 went to the end of the lane to meet Margaret. She had taken the 7.0 bus to Solva & bicycled from there. Lovely to have her. She had started from Birkenhead at 8.0 so was very tired. She & 5 other Mount girls when school broke up, had a bicycling tour to Ripon, Bainbridge, Brough & Patterdale. At the latter they stayed with a M^rs. Jeffries—then M. had a night with Evelyn Davison.

Aug. 4^th.

Lovely day. Robt. sleeps at another farm, M. & C. tog. & F. Ruthie & I went down to the bay close to the farm (5 mins.) & bathed—v. cold—I sketched. After good dinner read David Copperfield aloud, then took tea out, & went to see Carfai Bay, walked along cliffs, & explored, rested, read & played about & had tea. Supper at 7.15 (scrambled eggs & cocoa) Interesting talk with M^r. Rees who is such a nice man—135 acres—3 men helping him—heaps of animals.

5^th.

Very hot & cloudless sky. Took dinner & tea & walked to St. David's (after great hunt for C's camera) then on to Whitesands Bay. Glorious sands & hardly a person there, so all had a delicious bathe—then dinner with the tea (& a sleep for me!) & then another lovely bathe, & home to a delicious dinner at 7.30.

6^th.

Woke up with bad head, but it got better. Change of climate always affects me! I forgot to say that last night F. R. & I went out with M^r. & M^rs. Rees & M^r. Arnold to watch the two men "throw the nets". They walked into the sea with the net & after keeping it there for a time we all pulled it out—they only caught about 5 bass. Did it twice—then about 11.30 p.m. & quite dark, & we had a difficult walk home!

To-day walked to Carfai Bay & children bathed. Aft. I sketched the farm. After tea, bathe in Caerbwdy Bay with little Norah, but v. cold & stoney as tide high.

7^th.

Uncertain morning, but turned out hot & nice. Took sandwiches & walked along cliffs to Port Lisky, bathing en route in a charming bay with a precipitous sort of path leading down to it. Glorious walk. At Port L. some bathed again. F. M. & I walked a little further. At Upper Port Lisky farm asked M^rs. Davies (cousin of the Rees's) if we might have a cup of tea. She gave us nice tea, hot scones, bread & butter & jam, & would not take a farthing. We got hoe about 6.15, pretty tired, as it is a good many miles round the cliff & had an excellent dinner—soup, poached eggs, apple tart with cream & tea!

Sunday. Aug 8^th.

Heavy drizzle. M. C. Ruthie & I to service at St. David's Cathedral. V. nice, & beautiful Anthem "The Heavens shall tell". After dinner (duck, etc) all bathed at Carfai on the lovely sand. After tea read & I sketched.

Aug. 9^th.

Went along cliffs to Solva, bathe on the way at bottom of a steep cliff—then sandwiches. At Solva bought post cards, & got a small tea at a shanty—then back partly by cliffs, some of us partly by road; arrived 6.30 pretty tired. Nice dinner at 7.0. The children had 3 bathes—one before breakfast, 1 in morning & 1 in aft.

Aug. 10^th.

Great storm in night. Ruthie & I bathed in the rain at Carfai. Aft. grew hot & lovely—sea grand colour. The 3 girls walked to Non's Well Bay to bathe. F. & I went an inland walk. High tea at 6.15. Then all but Ruthie to good organ recital in Cathedral—all Mendelssohn. The Rees's were there & M^r. Rees was called out to go & help M^r. Arnold (where R. is staying) as 5 of his cattle had fallen over the cliff.

F. & I had called to see M^rs. Arnold to-day. They have a youth working for them who is about 19 & never saw a railway train till a fortnight ago! The cattle were saved; 2 of them were standing in the water. They had sort of rolled down the cliff.

Aug. 11^th.

V. windy & not very hot. Walked to St. David's Head, up the hill (Carn Llidi) then along the Head. Splendid. Then bathe in a perfect bay, but waves too strong—Ruthie & Caro could hardly get in, having gone out rather too far. Then tea at "M^rs. John's" & home to dinner at 7.30.

Aug. 12^th.

Hot & lovely. Children bathed at Carfai. After dinner to the rocks, & F. & C. managed to get on the island—most bathed again—tea (thermos) in a lovely sheltered rock place—afterwards we read 'David Copperfield' aloud while the children worked. F. & I & Ruthie to St. David's. Supper macaroni & cheese, mushrooms & cocoa at 7.0. Games.

Aug. 13^th.

At 11.0 went round the Cathedral with the Dean which took nearly 2 hours, but was most interesting. Built about 1180—wonderful ceiling of Irish oak. Some bathed after dinner. I sketched—also children did nice sketches.

Aug. 14^th.

V. hot. Inland walk to Pen berry Hill. Good view. Tea & lemonade at a little shop. None of these people have given tea as a rule, but are so nice about it—never know what to charge. We gave 2/6 altogether—we had a lot of bread & butter too, but nothing else, though there was a cheese on the table. The country people all seem to like to talk to us, & are so nice. Got home to dinner at 6.30.

Aug. 15^th. Sunday.

Aug. 16^th.

Walked to Solva by road, then on to a bay where some bathed. Had dinner & returned to tea at 4.30. Supper at 8.0.

Aug. 17^th.

Lovely warm day. Some bathed at Carfai. Aft. walked to bay beyond Non's Well & R. M. & I bathed. High tea at 6.30.

Aug. 18^th.

Walked to Whitesand & had a glorious bathe. Then walked to Porth Melgan & had dinner, & afterwards good scramble up St. David's Head watching waves & seeing 2 seals. It's not a very safe place. Aft. weather disimproved. Some bathed again. Tea with thermos.

Aug. 19^th.

Bathe in Carfai. Showery. Dinner early. Walked by road to Solva to see Regatta. Began to pour there & we got very wet, but cleared up & we dried. Caro very pluckily went in for ladies' swimming race—100 yds in harbour. She was nearly last, but not long behind the first one. Yacht races, etc. Walked back by cliffs. Tiring & great wind.

20^th.

Woke up with bad headache & had breakfast in bed. Perhaps due to awful wind in night—we get terrific west winds here. Poured in morning, but children bathed. After tea F. & I went short walk & watched waves. Some of the campers went away, as disgusted with the weather.

21^st.

Began by pouring, but cleared up. Walked by road to Porth Stimmion, & saw the lifeboat (through windows!) This place is about a mile from St. David's. Sea a glorious colour. Then walked round cliff hoping to find a place for bathing, but failed, so had dinner & returned very hot to St. David's. Children went straight to Carfai to bathe—F. & I went down to Carbuddy & had a bathe alone before tea—no one there. About 10 p.m. (Robert had gone to his farm) F. & I heard a gun, then another & a rocket went up. M^rs. Rees told us that the Smalls' Lighthouse, 21 miles away, had sent for the lifeboat as a ship was in distress. It started within a few mins. & tho' a moonlight night we felt dreadful listening to the wind.

22^nd. Sunday.

Heard that the lifeboat returned about 4.0 a.m. having seen nothing of the ship—the message had come to the Smalls, but they had never seen it, & it may have been a long way off. A lovely day. Short service, then down to Caerbuddy & spent morning on beach, & bathing. Sand, as tide low.

Aft. Caerbuddy, but not so nice. Read D. Copperfield aloud in a cave. Evening I sketched. We had Norah to tea.

23^rd.

Wet. Our last day. All but F. walked to Whitesand Bay, & had a lovely bathe—the glorious sands & seas all to ourselves! However it was rather drizzly as we returned & thick fog in afternoon.

24^th. Tuesday.

V. fine. Left by 9.15 bus (packed & stifling) Mary, the maid, & Norah seeing us off. Nice parting. The Rees's have been extremely kind, & M^rs. Rees cooked so well—often sent in a bit of currant cake for Caro as she likes it so. Margaret bicycled. Our rooms cost Ł5.10.0 altogether (Ł1 was attendance) altogether [sic], including lights & the one day it was cold we were given a fire. We found mushrooms sometimes.

2 hrs in Cardiff. I & the 3 girls went out to get tea & shopped. Got hope about 8.0—M. cycled—R. C. & F. in tram—Ruthie & I in taxi. Minnie gave us nice welcome & supper of onions & cheese. (Ruthie stayed up at St. David's) This last week she has been cleaning the house—I gave her 10/- board wages.

Next 3 weeks very busy getting M. & C. ready for the Mount. C. got quite tired of holidays. She sits up to supper now. V. hot, fine weather, but often stuffy.

Sept. 4^th.

Went to Kingswood Common beyond Peppard—all but Robert. Took lunch. Got several lbs. blackberries. Read D. Copperfield aloud. Glorious hot day. All but Ruthie bicycled.

One day children went to Players at Woodley & played tennis & picked blackberries.

Sept. 11^th.

All but Robert train to Thatcham & walked to Buckleberry Common. Rather close, but quite nice picnic.

Sept. 12^th.

Sept. 16^th.

Sept. 17^th. Friday.

F. & I cycled to station. M. C. & Ruthie in taxi—saw M. & C. off at 10.40. I could hardly bear to let them go—I shall Miss C. terribly for she has been so dependant on me lately to plait her hair etc, & M. is such a help. They both cried last night & were a little tearful at parting. I do hope it is the right place for Caro.

Never heard from her for a long time—she had a few days at first in the nursery with a pain, but wrote very happily when she did write. M. is in the college class & has a study to herself.

18^th.

20^th.

Edith Garnett arrived at 9.50. 19 years since I had seen her. In aft. she & Ruthie & I went by train to Goring & back by steamer—tea on board. V. hot day.

21^st.

Edward Garnett, Christine & Erica to dinner—then round Huntley & Palmer's—M^r. & M^rs. Evans & Frank Pollard to tea. Garnetts left in evening. Has been lovely to see Edith again.

22^nd.

Ruthie to school. Aft. F. R. & I to Bear Wood to get blackberries, but got very few. It is a bad year for them.

27^th.

Rose having holiday, so I did most of washing. Strike still going on & we can hardly ever have the kitchen fire & boil all water for washing up. Lack of coke now too. It is miserable. Happily except for 1 short spell of cold, the weather is wonderfully warm. We often have an oil stove in evening.

28^th. Tuesday.

Went from R. West by 12.10 to M/C. or rather Stockport. F. saw me off. Through train & nearly empty, so easy journey. Evie & Elsa met me with the car about 4.40 & we got to Disley after 5.0. Refreshing tea & stroll round garden. Then delicious dinner & much talk.

29^th.

Fair, but dull. Breakfast in bed, partly because of warmth, tho' in evenings we have lovely fires here mostly of wood. To village afterwards. Erica, Evie & I motored about 11.15 or later to M/C. & got lunch in town with Ernest at new German restaurant—(mushroom omelette, banana, ginger & cream & coffee) then all but Ernest to most thrilling detective play called "At the Villa Rose." Arthur Bourchier splendid. Cup of tea, then home; looked at Greek photos etc. Elsa better, but still looks ill.

30^th.

A glorious hot day. Evie, Elsa, Erica & I motored at 11.15 through Macclesfield over the moors to a place with grand view where we at a delicious lunch—then on past "Cat & Fiddle" to Buxton, then up above it & left the car & had a perfect walk through the Goyt valley (motors not allowed in some parts). Te at a cottage. Colours & views perfect. Got back at 6.0.

Oct. 1^st.

Another lovely day. Morning helped E. with books sat in garden & talked. Aft. she & I motored to M/C. & had tea with M^rs. Hogg, head of Ashburne Hall, & saw all over it. Delighted with it. Erica joined us after we had had some dinner in town & we went to see "Five Little Plays of St. Francis." V. good, but I did not care very much for them. Heat awful.

Oct. 2^nd.

Had to get up to breakfast to-day. Evie, Elsa & Erica saw me off at 9.10. I've had a perfect time & they have all been so very kind & spoiling to me.

Ruthie met me at R. West at 3.0. Did not look very well. Frank at Guildford War & Social order Com^tee. Ruthie & I had tea in garden. Robert came in later, but went to Book Club at Howard Smith's.

Oct. 3^rd. Sunday.

6^th.

Robert & I cycled to Englefield, Tidmarsh & Sulham. Quite interesting old church at Tidmarsh. Lovely day & colour growing good. At Sulham got tea in a cottage—milkman's wife. Would not take any pay. Then went up huge hill & at top I found tyre flat. Further on at a cottage tried to mend it, but still flat so went on to Tilehurst & found at a shop that there were heaps of punctures. R. went on home. Working man came most of way with me. I didn't get home till 7.0—very tired.

Oct. 7^th.

Oct. 8^th.

" 9^th.

F. & I to hear Kreisler. The cheapest seats were 5/9 but we got excellent ones & he was magnificent. Nice simple man.

Oct. 18^th.

Rob. in bed with feverish cold. Q.M. M^rs. Gillett of Banbury for the night. V. nice.

Oct. 25^th.

R. back to work again. F. & I to R. Music Club concert—Spencer Dyke Quartett. V. good.

Oct. 26^th.

Oct. 27^th.

Wed. A lovely, sunny, frosty day. Too windy for a ride, so Rob. & I got the 2.15 bus to Bracknell—got there 3.10 & walked to Warfield Church. Most interesting—mostly decorated—& some parts very lovely. We came back a longer way, & though only altogether about 5 miles, R. got very tired, as he has only been up a day or two. Caught the 5.15 bus home & had high tea at 6.15. Alas, our last Wed. ride (or picnic) tog. as M^r. Dryland is changing the ˝ holiday to Sat. We have enjoyed them so—R. said once "I do love our Wednesday rides" & I was so pleased. We'll try to go on Saturdays, but it may not be so easy. In evening Rob. & I went to a Duo—Art Pianola & Gramophone recital.

Nov. 5^th.

Friday. On the 8^th. was Ruthie's ˝ term holiday & as I did not take C. to the Mount & wanted to see her & M. & Miss Waller, the new Headmistress, & as it is only a week before Ruthie will be a whole ticket, I took her to York for the week-end. She was fearfully excited. She might not miss aft. school, but rushed home & had some tea at 4.10 & then we went by tram to the station, & F. saw us off by the 5 train. Several changes & journey seemed very long—train ˝ hr. late, so did not reach York till nearly Ľ to 12.0 p.m. & B. & B. both on platform to meet us.

Nov. 6^th.

B. went to see Miss Till off. I to Edna's new flat—B. & Ruthie met me there & we went to town & had coffee with the Burtts. When we got back M. & C. were already at B. Croft & C. fairly flew down the stairs & into my arms. It was so lovely to see her & M. but she looked very poorly. After dinner 2 of C's friends came & we played games.

Nov. 7^th.

M. & C. to breakfast. C. stayed in—rest of us to meeting. Billy & several boys to dinner. Billy so charming now, but has had influenza & looks poorly. Games in aft. Malcomsons, etc, to tea. Edna, Miss Waller, Miss Spencer & Town Clerk to supper. Nice talk with Miss Spencer. i forgot to say that after tea Ruthie & I went to the Mount with M. & C. & saw their bedrooms—M's pretty study etc.

Nov. 8^th.

Ruthie not at all well. We went up to the Mount to say goodbye to M. & C. & saw old M^rs. Morrell too. B. saw us off at 11.45. Ruthie laid her head on my knee nearly all the way home. F. met us & I put her straight to bed. She had hardly had a bite & not a drink even of water all day, but recovered enough to go to school next day.

15^th.

Very good entertainment for B.W.T.A by Capt. Fowler. While I was away F. spoke at meeting house on "The Way of Life" & people said it was simply splendid, beautiful diction too.

Nov. 19^th.

Ruthie's birthday: she has talked of it for days. 6 of her friends to tea—gt changing of dresses, etc. Lovely tea. Christingles much liked & crackers in middle of table round a little sort of Xmas tree. Games till 7.30, [kikin?] sardines, etc & Rob. showed us his little cinematograph when he came in. Barbara Cumber for week-end.

20^th.

Pouring—the 3^rd. Sat. in succession that has been wet, so Rob. & I have done nothing. Together Barbara & Ruthie to see Dick Turpin & a coach & 4 arrive at Bull's!

22^nd.

Barbara departed. She is a dear little girl but absolutely terrible about her food.

Dec. 7^th.

A few days ago the Coal Strike ended, thank goodness & now we are not rationed for coal. The strike began in May, & we have only been allowed 1 cwt. of coal per week, so have had no kitchen fire or hot water as a rule, & I have had to cook on a tiny gas stove. It has been miserable, especially after the weather grew cold.

Dec. 15^th.

I went to London to say goodbye to Edith Garnett before she departs to So. Africa & went shopping with her.

Dec. 18^th.

Leighton Park Speech Day with Rob. & Ruthie. F. had gone to speak at Letchworth. 4 boys went in—Duncan Wood got the prize.

Dec. 16^th.

I forgot to mention that to-day we had the Children's Play Hour party 5–7. Great success. Cut up from 4–5. At 5.0, 42 children came aged 3–8—very good at tea. After crackers got wild with excitement. Played Oranges & Lemons, & Round & round the Village, but too noisy for games. M^rs. Sargent as 'Old Mother Hubbard' gave each a present (2^d & 3^d things.)

21^st.

Rob. shocking cold & poorly, feverish. Got Sir Stewart Abram. Bertha has been poorly & we were afraid wd not be able to have us in York—now perhaps R. & I can't go!

23^rd.

Thurs. I had been going by excursion train about 12.0 from Marylebone to York with Ruthie, but Frank had to go with her, so that I cd look after Robert: They said the journey was easy & not at all crowded.

24^th.

Friday. R. & I went to York in morning by ordinary train, leaving Minnie to clear up & then she had 2 or 3 days holiday.

25^th. Xmas Day

Molly, Rhys & Peter & Hugh also staying at B. Croft. Esther & Colin at St. Mary's & the flat. Bowes unhappily in America with Dia.

Presents at breakfast. Splendid dinner, but M^rs. Morrell felt unequal to it for first time. Afterwards splendid act "The Rest Cure". After tea Xmas tree, carols etc.

26^th.

27^th. Boxing Day.

B. kindly took all of us except Frank who went the official walk, & Molly Colin & Esther to Levisham & we walked 8 or 9 miles across the moors to Goathland & had tea in their very pretty old house. It was an exquisite frosty day. Got home about 6.30 I think.

28^th.

29^th.

C. looks poorly, so Hugh kindly took her to Wheel Birks & Billy went too for a few days.

30^th.

Margaret went to stay with Monica Sturge at B'ham for a few days. F. & I came home by Marylebone. Fot not well. Arrived 10.30 p.m.

1927

Jan. 1^st.

4^th.

Jan. 5^th.

Marg. & I at sales. I got her her first evening dress, pale pink satin (30/-) & white silver slippers (7/6)

6^th.

8^th.

Rob. Marg. & Ruthie to a party at the Institute, everyone dressed as Dickens' characters, Rob. 'Scrooge', Marg. 'Susan Nipper' Ruthie 'Little Nell'. Did not get home till 10.30.

11^th. Tues.

13^th.

R. & M. shared a taxi with others & went to the Talbots dance 8–12 in a hall in Caversham. Both looked so nice.

16^th.

R's birthday. Unhappily F. at Welwyn. M^rs. Rawlings, Janet & Margery to tea. Children did marionette play "Lord Darnley." Very good indeed.

18^th.

M. & C. back to school. Darling little C. a good deal upset the night before. F. Ruthie & I saw them off.

19^th.

22^nd.

Minnie in the aft. suddenly began to be poorly. We are having cold, snowy weather.

23^rd.

24^th.

Sent for M's Doctor. She has got acute follicular tonsilitis, & I have to put on fomentations, give gargles, medecines, etc & do everything for her.

26^th.

27^th.

I went to Play Hour, first time I've been out for nearly a week. A Queen Vict. nurse came this evening to paint M's throat—she will come in morning also.

29^th.

In aft. M's sister came for her (she is normal now) & she went home in taxi to my intense relief. I was getting knocked up with the stairs & have a bad cold. I could not go out with Rob. so Ruthie & he went a long walk by the Kennet.

30^th. Sunday.

Rob. Mennell arrived before dinner. He spoke in evening at Meeting House on "Quakers & War" & we took Ruthie as we cd not have her alone in the house.

31^st.

Breakfast 7.30. Rob. went by 8.20 train. He is quite delightful—kissed by hand when he went. Our Robert slightly feverish in evening.

Feb. 1^st.

2^nd.

R. better & went to work. Ella & little Joy to tea. M^rs. Cane to spring clean spare rooms. Yesterday a M^rs. Taylor spring-cleaned Minnie's room.

This morning I cleaned R's room, cooked dinner, made some little iced cakes, etc.

Feb. 3^rd.

Prize-giving. Ruthie got one for arithmetic—C. for French, but the latter was not there to receive it of course. Lady Capel Cure gave the prizes away & spoke very amusingly. Bishop of Oxford in chair. Ruthie looked sweet & curtsied so nicely.

Feb. 6^th.

Sunday. Celebrated by birthday, as washing day so horrid! F. gave me a lovely cyclamen, Rob. a 'mirror' & the 'Laughing Man' by Victor Hugo. Margo a lovely tray cloth she has made, C. is making me a mat, Ruthie scent, Jeanie table runner. Evie fur-lined gloves & I got several letters & cards though they came on the Monday of course. A letter from dear Aunt Gertie in her own writing.

I forgot to say that yesterday, F. & Ruthie walked & R. I cycled to Sonning (first to beyond Twyford to see a church) & got a very nice tea at the French Horn, hot toast, etc. F. & Ruthie got a bus back.

9^th.

12^th.

13^th.

Sunday. Ruthie in bed feverish 101° in evening—bad cold & cough. The Bowman-Smiths, Pauline T. & Neville Hodgkin to tea. Muriel played, & F. & R. both sang 2 songs.

15^th.

19^th.

21^st.

Ruthie back to school. It has been very tiring having her in bed, though she has not been really ill.

22^nd.

Ruthie is having exams. Minnie arrived back in the evening. While she has been away I have made 33 lbs of marmalade. M^rs. Cane has spring-cleaned the spare room, & Marg's room & another woman has done Minnie's room.

23^rd.

Book Club at M^r. Elliott's. School House. F. R. & I went. F. had partly arranged the programme—Chas. Read. I read from Christy Johnstone. V. nice to get out again once more.

26^th.

[March]

5^th.

Esther came for week end. She, R. & I to L' Park to see "She stoops to conquer" by Staff. Splendid, but Esther did not feel well. F. at Jordans. R. went to tea with Peggy Hill at their new house at Caversham.

6^th.

7^th.

Ruthie ˝ term holiday. V. wet, but cleared in aft. & she & I went by 2.30 bus to "Three Firs." Got there 3.10. Walked to "Round Oak" near Padworth & ordered tea for 4.30. Then on to get snowdrops—good long walk—made a round—& got back to Inn at Ľ to 5.0—could go a shorter way another time. 2 small bunches of snowdrops. Walked leisurely after tea & caught 6.5 bus home, arriving Denmark Rd at 7.0 Lovely warm aft. & beautiful sunset. Thought much of Carina who was with us last year, & alas, heard to-day she has got mumps & she has been so much better this year.

12^th.

C. has a very mild attack. R. & I cycled through Burghfield to Theale & so home.

16^th. Wed.

R's Intermediate exam. He went by 8.47 to London. I arranged for sweep & M^rs. Cane came from 8-0 10 [sic] & again from 2–5 to help Minnie spring clean kitchen. Ella kindly had Ruthie to dinner, then she came home & had Marg. Saxton to play with & to tea.

F. & I to London by 9.25. Walked thro' Maples & Heal's seeing pretty furnished rooms, etc, & a flower painting exhibition by the Procters, M^rs. Nelson Dawson etc. Then dinner & then to pit (3/-) to see Shaw's "Man & Superman." V. amusing. After tea to Friends' House—I tidied—I had on a semi-evening dress all day! At 7.0 acted as Host & Hostess to gathering of Quaker students—about 35 came. V. nice. Refreshments, music, & discussion on "The Society of Friends & its value for T-day". Did not get home till after 12.0. R. had left note to say exam was very stiff. 11–1 & 2–5 I think. Ruthie sleeping with us, work up to know how we had got on.

17^th.

Rob. to London again—exams on Trust Accounts & Book Keeping no to hard. In evening he went to Houses of Parliament for 1^st. time, & got home at 11.0.

18^th.

R. having holiday, v. tired. I went to my first mannequin show with Ella at Heelas'. Rather degrading to be a mannequin. She gave me tea. Ruthie to stay with Barbara Cumber. R's room & scullery spring cleaned with Rosy to help.

19^th. Sat.

Rob. still having holiday. Lovely hot spring day. F. to Sidcot, to speak on Disarmament. R. & I started at 11.10 & bicycled to Aldworth, then to Streatley. Just above Streatley at 1.30 we had our lunch with a glorious view. Then at 2.0 went on down the steep hill into Streatley, across river & back by Goring Heath & Caversham. Glorious ride of 26 miles—got back at 4.0.

23^rd.

Music club concert. Chelsea Singers—quite charming. 3 men & 2 women dressed in Elizabeth costume sat round a table to sing—Winifred Wheeler, Sybilla Marshall, Viola Doré, Winter Coppin & Bruce Flegg. Some old songs sung from manuscript. Harpist Gwendolen Mason.

24^th.

Had asked Friends & Mothers to come to Children's Play Hour—only F. & Ella came & a few Mothers. I felt nervous, but it went off well. We began with the march circling inwards & unwinding, then "Glad to see you," round & round the village, Pigeon House, Fair Rosie, Golden Boat & Merry Peasant. We had it from 5–6. M^rs. Sargent told story.

25^th.

26^th.

27^th.

Sunday. M^rs. Rivers died. She has been ill with pneumonia. Last week M^rs. Cane painted the bathroom. She was about 5 hours (8^d hr) & the paint cost 3/6—& brush 6^d.

March 30^th.

Minnie, Frank & I spring-cleaned F's study. The cleaning is finished now except drawing & dining rooms, bottom flight of stairs & hall & cellar & some of drawing room drawers.

April 1^st. Friday.

Herbie Corder came to stay. We went up, after high tea, to hear Dido & Aeneas (Purcell) done by some of the boys.

2^nd.

B. & B's silver wedding day. Aft. walked by river to Sonning—back by bus in pouring rain.

3^rd.

5^th.

7^th.

C. began violin lessons with Sybil Gilford—6 lessons for 15/- including violin for practising on—lessons of ˝ hour.

8^th.

M. began music lessons with Muriel Bowman-Smith. Ruthie broke up. Cold & slightly showery. F. & C. cycled, M. Ruthie & I by 1.45 bus to Three Firs. Here met F. & C. Walked to near Ufton Court & got heaps of primroses. M. & I cycled home—others by bus in time for high tea 6.30.

9^th.

11^th.

Monday. Robert went to Disley for a week. Evie, etc, were at Aston Cantlow, so he met them at Warwick & motored with them, but it was very wet.

13^th.

M. & I to London by 9.25. At 11.0 she began a sort of exam at the National Institute of Industrial Psychology with Miss Stott & D^r. Macrae. I had to see both too. She had intelligence tests, etc. They both found her shy & said it was very difficult. At 12.15 I went back for her, & we got dinner at a veg. place "The Little Inn". Then to Garrick to see "Ghost Train". Went to gallery 1/2^d. Got home about Ľ to 7.0.

14^th.

15^th. Good Friday.

Dull & cold. Made pace eggs. In evening C. & I "listened in" for ľ hour. Most impressive service from "St. Martin's in the field"—Rev. Shepherd's sermon read by someone else as he was ill.

16^th.

Went to Loddon; could not get boat, so went in a wood & got primroses. Back to dinner.

18^th. Easter Monday.

A glorious day. We left Minnie to do her morning's work & then go out, & the rest of us started at about 9.30 for station & went to Goring, then walked along Wantage Road & on to Downs—we should have gone along Fair Mile Way, but struck off sooner & had a rather tiring walk. After sandwiches & a great hunt suddenly discovered the purple Pasque flowers, but they were not fully out. Then took a round back to Goring, finding cowslips & primroses. Poor tea (1/6) at Swan Hotel Got home about 6.30—Marg. went to party at Saxton's.

19^th.

Robert came home from Disley in time for tea—has had a splendid time. It is nice to have him home. He looks better.

20^th.

In evening Rob. Marg. C. & R. went to play tennis at Palmer Park. I watched them.

21^st.

22^nd.

24^th.

25^th.

29^th. Friday.

A perfect day, hot, but not too hot. All but Robert went picnic. F. & M. cycled to Pangbourne—we went by 9.50 & joined them; then a heavenly walk thro' woods & fields—masses of bluebells cowslips, cherry, etc. At the large house where one road goes to Bradfield, we went to the left—found nest with 1 egg & tiny bird in it. Got back to Pangbourne about 3.0. River for an hour. Home to ~~high~~ tea about 4.30—F. & M. cycled.

30^th.

In aft. Rob. M. & I cycled thro' Caversham to Checkendon, starting about 2.0. Interesting Norman church with frescoes, & pretty old houses. Exquisite day, only cold wind. Like an orchard—cherry trees in bloom everywhere. Then on to Nuffield & Nettlebed—tea at "Bull Hotel" (3/6) & home via Peppard at 6.30.

I forgot to say that on 28^th. I let Caro have her hair bobbed. It does not suit her, & when she got home everyone said so, & F. was rather vexed, but it may be better for her health, & was very long & thick to keep nice at school. The poor child rather regretted it herself when it was done, & cried bitterly when she went to bed.

May 1^st.

A. Barratt Brown & Roger Wilson (son of Alexander Wilson) to tea & supper. A.B.B. spoke at Folk House.

May 4^th.

Ruthie went back to the Abbey School, & F. & I saw M. & C. off to York—but rather tearful. C. cried bitterly last night in bed—I think she really was a little homesick last term, though she does not say so. They have been particularly happy holidays, both children so sweet & helpful. I shall miss them dreadfully.

F. & I went by 4.30 train to London—first to Polytechnic where we got an hour of Capt. Knight's wonderful "Golden Eagle" Film & then a delicious supper at Lyons & then to Covent Garden 1/0 seats—all this out of Bertha's Xmas & birthday present to me! "Il Seraglio" by Mozart—exquisite music & singing. Conductor Bruno Walter

It began at 8.30 & went on so long that we only got the 12 p.m. train home with 10 mins. to spare. Opera house packed—wonderful sight.

6^th.

7^th.

R. & I on river for an hour—so windy there were real waves. F. to give 2 W.E.A. lectures at Ascot. This week began glorious hot weather. 70° in our bedroom.

8^th.

Lovely hot day, but rest of week terribly cold winds that dried everything up. Rain badly needed. I prepared drawing room, did our study ordinarily, etc. Sweep in aft.

9^th.

Minnie & I spring cleaned drawing room, & got quite done by 5.0 but were very tired.

10^th.

12^th.

B. took me to London—we saw Royal Institution of Painters in Water Colours, etc. Meantime M^rs. Cane & Minnie spring cleaned dining room. Sweep came at 10.0. Turners lent me the Electrolux sweeper. Paid M^rs. C. 4.3. She had no meals here. F. & R. got dinner in town—Ruthie at school. I got back at Ľ to 7.0.

13^th.

Abbey School Sports. Ruthie in Obstacle & Sack but didn't get a prize. Nice day & sports well arranged.

15^th.

18^th.

Members business meeting of Reading Music Club & excellent folk dancing. Wonderful running dance from Appalachian Mts.

19^th.

22^nd.

23^rd.

Mon. F. & I by 8.47 to Y.M. Buildings splendid—first time at Friends' House. Education. F. spoke splendidly on the Report & I got much congratulated. He was rather amusing. J.W. Graham said it was the best speech that morning. Lots of my old school-fellows. I had a picnic lunch with Chrissie Mennell. Gertie & Mabel Weiss had tea with F. & me. Armenian meeting & temperance. I didn't feel up to much, so came home before F. arriving 8.30. Ruthie rushed down in her nightie to greet me!

26^th.

Ascension day, so R. had holiday. In aft. I took her to see an osteopath, then we had tea at Mc'Ilroy's & then went to see M^r. Bartholomew's garden up Tilehurst Rd. Gt help now she can bicycle.

28^th.

Rob. & I bicycled in aft. to see rhododendrons near Bear Park. Lovely. Then to left down "Sandy Lane", where masses & masses of golden broom & back by Shinfield Rd—2.15–4.30.

30^th.

Minnie went off at 12.30 to an Adult School picnic; Rose not v. well, so I had to iron a lot, but left M. to do her own aprons & frock.

1^st. June.

Had M^r. & M^rs. Archibald, M^r. & M^rs. Gilbert to supper. We had never seen the 2 latter; only married 2 months—he is lecturer in Geog. at the Univ. Both were delightful. Supper 7.30—galantine of chicken—salad, bread buns, banana custard, honeycomb shape & gooseberry fool in glasses, cheese (little ones) coffee in drawing room.

3^rd.

Rob. went to York in afternoon. Bertha is having her house full for O.S. in spite of being in America.

4^th.

Sat. F. saw Ruthie & me off to York at 9.25. I took her, as F. had meant to go & we could not leave her alone, & then he got some teaching at L.P. (temporary) & they don't have a holiday on Whit Monday, so he couldn't go, & was left to Minnie's tender mercies! She had Sunday aft. & Monday aft. off. Washing done on the Tuesday.

Train was very empty—so many people go by motor car: it is hard on the railways & they are far more comfortable for a long journey.

˝ hour late, as got to York 4.0 & Caro met us. (M. on river with her friends.) We took tram & walked to B. Croft. Bowes & Hugh there, rest on river. Refreshing tea. Then Bowes walked with me to Mount. Quite nice meeting. Hilda Clark President. Gertie took me back in taxi. She Laurie & Helen, & Hugh are staying at B. Croft. Supper (dinner) at 9.30.

5^th.

Sunday. I poured out. Winifred, Herbert, Billy, M. & C. to breakfast. I went to see Edna, & sat alone in meeting. About 18 of us or 20 to dinner. Not many to tea. M. & I to hear M^r. Sturge & then on to Mount meeting; v. nice. Also nice supper at little tables, but I didn't know many people. Pouring afterwards, but Seaver Naish took me home in car. Colin for night.

6^th. Whit Monday.

Cold in morning, but improved. Nice watching cricket with Molly who came for the day, but cold reception from Rowntrees!

Mount in aft. Tennis most exciting, but no chance of seeing people & missed play. Meeting good especially Roger Clark & A.R. They are collecting Ł3000 for him as he is leaving. It's too much! Entertainment after the supper for ˝ hour—gt mistake I thought—then dance. Pouring when we came out—Hugh, Ruthie & I in cab to Clarence Gardens, then had to walk.

7^th.

M. & C. to breakfast—to Mount to say goodbye & for talk with Miss Waller & Miss Spencer. Edna to lunch & saw Ruthie & me off at 3.0. (Rob. went in morning.) Nearly empty train. Got to Reading West after 9.0 p.m. very tired. F. met us. Glad to be home.

8^th.

9^th.

11^th.

Rob. & I cycled past Twyford & turned to right & along pretty roads—back by Wokingham Rd. He poured out about C. R. etc Whitsuntide has revived old memories!!

15^th.

F. Rob. & I to Book Club on "Gardens" at M^rs. Burrows. F. sang (& read) "Summer Afternoon". I read "Daffodils" by Drayton—good papers. In aft. we had M^rs. Allwood (poor woman) & her 4 children & sweet baby to tea.

16^th.

M^rs. Cass & I by 9.0 bus from the Butts to Ascot (1/2 single) got on course by 10.15 & excellent stand agst railings nearly opposite Royal Box. Grew very hot & sunny & tiring, but we stood nearly all the time. At about 12.0 the swells began to arrive in their exquisite dresses—we had opera glasses & cd see splendidly. Then Royal Procession started at 1.0—all carriages with 4 horses—K. & Queen, Prince of Wales & Prince Henry in first. Went to Royal Box, & Queen had her hand kissed & ladies curtsied to her. (She kissed one or two.) At 1.30 the first race. Horses close to us & as we were near the winning post it was thrilling. Then as there was an hour before next, we went right off the course & found a place where we could eat our lunch, then walked along road till a bus came & got home at 4.0. Most exciting day.

18^th.

22^nd.

24^th.

25^th.

26^th. Sunday.

27^th.

Shopped. Sale at Wellsteeds. Saw Miss T. off in aft. & went to tea at M^rs. Tims.

29^th.

Wed. Ruthie, Rob. & I got up at 5.0, Frank soon after, to see the Eclipse. (It would only have been partial here) Pouring & saw nothing. M. & C. went with whole school to Polam & saw the Total Eclipse (first since 1724 in England I think) splendidly. Had breakfast there etc. I am glad they saw it.

1^st. July.

2^nd.

Sat. Looked dull, but Rob. & I started at 2.15 & cycled via Woodcote & Crowmarsh to Ewelme—got there about 10 mins. to 5—ordered tea at the "Shepherds' Hut" & went to see the fascinating old church, hospital etc. Also Jerome J. Jerome's grave. Had quite nice tea (1/3 each) (try M^rs. Clack next time further thro' village) & started back about 10 mins. to 6.0.

Got home at 8.0. Sunny evening & exquisite ride thro' roads close to the corn, masses of sweet smelling elder, wild roses, etc. About 33 miles altogether. Hardly met a single car, as we went by side roads.

July 6^th.

Got up at 5.30 & F. saw me off by 6.18 train to Oxford & Burford. Lovely morning & nice day, which was lucky, as the weather has been awful. Got to Shipton under Wychwood at 8.20, a car met me & I got to "Calendars" at 8.30 (6/6) in time for breakfast with May & her friend M^rs. Van Amee, an American. Delicious breakfast, then into lovely garden & then great sad talk in the study. Then to village with May, into lovely gardens, etc. Lunch early & then May & M^rs. V. Amee took me a lovely 2 hours motor drive to "Slaughter" past Stowe in the Wold, etc. They went out to tea & left me to entertain D^r. & M^rs. Sperries (Dean of Theology at Harvard) & M^r. & M^rs. Smith, (4 Americans,) to tea in the courtyard. They were awfully nice. D^r. Sperries thanked me for my hospitality!—M^r. Smith would take "moving photos" & got one of me pouring out tea. Then we went to see a local artist's exhibition & the church & soon after 6.0 I got a bus to Oxford & got home about 8.30.

9^th. Saturday.

Rob. & I by 12.18 to Paddington. Charles & Stella met us in swell car & we drove out in country. N^r. St. Albans had picnic dinner in a field. Got to Aspley Guise about 3.0 & walked round charming garden with Uncle Gregory (in his 90^th. year) Margaret & Edith. Father Hamilton Macdonald there too. Tea with delicious cakes made by Edith & talk in the drawing room, then back to Paddington & home by 8.30. Charles & Stella most kind.

16^th.

Rob. & I short cycle ride, very pretty, along Basingstoke Rd, along towards Grazeley, & then to Burghfield Bridge. Walked along canal, & back by Bath Rd.

20^th.

22^nd.

Miss Musson & Staff had invited parents 4.30–6 to tea & to see display of Folk & Greek Dancing. Abbey School girls did the Folk Dancing & had only learnt for ˝ term. V. good. Ruthie in "Black Nag" & Mary & Dorothy. Greek dancing lovely—all outside on grass, but cold. 3 girls did the Greek. Evening Leonard Peto took me to see Monsieur Beaucaire at "the Pictures." V. good. Gave me tea!

23^rd.

R. in aft. to Oxford to ~~see~~ Young Friends' Conference. Staying at Manchester College. F. Ruthie & I started at 2.0 for Shottesbrooke via Twyford, & Ruscombe. Ordered tea for 4.0 o'clock at the "Star"—& went to see the church. Started tea in garden, but rain began, so had to go inside. V. nice tea & only 2/6 for the 3 of us. Got back about 6.30—rather tiring coming back as wind against us.

25^th.

R. came back: he had been chairman & had had a good time. Jack Thoroughgood took him to his home at Wellington College in his car to-day.

26^th.

27^th.

M. & C. & Ruthie broke up. C. joined Rob. at N/C. & went to Wheel Birks. M. went to a camp (not in tents) at Wass.

11^th.

Lovely day. Walked over moors with pony to Dilston. Sandwiches. Saw over castle & chapel & bridge over Devil's Water on which Lord Derwentwater [sic] V. beautiful. There is a secret passage from the Castle right under the river to Beaufront Castle. F. & I managed to get a cup of tea at a cottage. Got back about 6.0.

12^th.

F. Rob. Ruthie & I went to Mrs. Adam's to hear a play called "Hannah Deborah" a Quaker Comedy by Miss Edith Agar & Miss Ethel Boyce (daughter of the M^rs. Boyce!) V. clever. Miss Agar read it. Tea. Met Lena, Hilda Sturge, Effie Clark, etc.

13^th.

14^th. Sunday.

F. Ruthie & I to meeting at Stocksfield. Poured on way back. Colin took R. M. & C. to Harbottle to visit the Richardsons (Gertie)

15^th.

16^th.

F. Rob. M. & I started at 9.30 for Blanchland (9 miles.) Fairly cold & good for walking. Got there (having stopped to eat biscuits en route) at 1.30. Had tea & eggs at 2.0 at Lord Crewe Arms. Started back another way by the Derwent & stopped at Winnowshill to see old Quaker burial ground & old meeting house (now a cottage.) V. old. 1600 & something. Got home about 6.0, coming through Fairlee.

18^th.

F. R. M. & I started at 9.40 & walked via Bywell along by river at first to Aydon Castle. Rained most of time, but not hard. Wonderful place. Then down to Corbridge, bus to Riding Mill & walked home via Broomlee in time for tea. A "roady" walk & we were all tired—I expect about 12 miles. R. sang queer songs. I felt quite exhausted.

19^th. Friday.

Most of day fine. In aft. Colin took me to a farm in his sheep car. Exquisite views. Thunderstorm. I made a sketch.

20^th.

Margaret, C. Ruthie & I left reluctantly in rain at 2.25. In N/C. rushed up to Cousin Jennie's—she is over 90 & was standing on steps to welcome us—Cousin Sally, Hilda, Stella Ball & Helen Eddington there. Lovely tea at 3.30. Left at 4.0 for Quay, Hilda & Stella coming to see us off. Pouring. On board "Bernicia". Left at 5.30. Cleared & quite nice watching coast. Ladies' cabin with a good many others noisy. Little sleep. All up to breakfast, & then later Ruthie & I succumbed & had a miserable day in cabin, sick & headachey. Thankful to reach. London at 6.30. M. & C. enjoyed it all. Got 8.10 at Paddington & tram to Fatherson Rd.

M^rs. Mc'David & her niece were in the house for over a fortnight, & the last week Minnie cleaned.

22^nd.

Monday. Garden lovely. Lots of fruit. F. & Robert arrived at 9.30—R. had stayed week-end with Gilbert R. in N/C.

We've had a glorious holiday at Wheel Birks, Hugh & Colin so kind & 3 maids looked after us well. The pony that C. hired was a great joy to the children & both C. & Ruthie learned to jump, to saddle it & go out all alone.

23^rd.

Aug. 31^st.

Ruthie had operation for adenoids & tonsils at 10.30, & had ~~her~~ a horrid 3 days afterwards. D^r. Baxter did it, D^r. Ritson gave the chloroform, D^r. Culver-Evans (Lady Locum for D^r. Field) there too & Nurse Symons from the Victoria Home (she was not necessary & was only there about 1 hour & cost 10/- but she was nice.) Operation 7 guineas & 2 guineas for anaesthetist. Done in spareroom, which was almost entirely stripped & spring cleaned in most ways.

Sept. 2^nd.

Breakfast at 7.30 & directly afterwards I went with him to station & saw him off to Geneva, where he has gone to attend some of the Assembly.

Sept. 6^th.

C. & I bicycled to Borough Farm near Twyford to see a poor woman (M^rs. Edwards) who has just got a baby.

7^th.

8^th.

M. went long bicycle ride alone, returning in aft. She & C. & I went to pit to see "Charlie's Aunt." It was the first thing of this sort I had taken them to, & it was great fun to hear C's peals of laughter & see M's face!

10^th.

Pouring in morning. Cleared. C. to Talbots to tea. M. R. Ruthie & I for an hour in punt on river.

11^th. Sunday.

16^th.

17^th.

18^th. Sunday.

Celebrated F's birthday instead of on 12^th. Children did their marionette theatre—a play called "The daughter of the Regiment."

19^th.

20^th.

Caro went back to school. She wept last night, & just at leaving the house—F. M. & Ruthie saw her off. She has been so good & jolly & helpful, & we miss her greatly. In evening opening of Folk-House. We all went except Ruthie. Very nice—good address by M^r. Souch. Room full, some of play hour children too. M^r. S. sang & F. sang & M^r. Westcott played.

21^st.

24^th.

R. at I.L.P. meetings at which M^r. Scurr M.P. spoke. M. F. Ruthie & I bicycled to near Swallowfield & got 4˝ lbs. blackberries. The floods are awful. It has been a terrible year for rain.

Sep. 26^th.

27^th.

Marian Prout took Evelyn, M. & me in her motor starting at 2.15 thro' Windsor Great Park, (deer & castle beautiful) & back by Virginia Water. Had tea in a little shop—got back about 7.0. Rained coming back.

29^th.

M. & Evelyn departed tog. M. to stay with Audrey en route for M/C. She was v. unhappy last night.

Oct. 3^rd.

4^th.

Book Club at H. Smith's Margaret went to Ashburne Hall, Manchester. Evie met her. I think of her much. She has to share a room which is a pity.

5^th.

Wed. Went to London. Saw Y.M.C.A. Bought a dress & at 1.0 met Bertha at Rubens Hotel, Buckingham Palace Rd. Had not seen her since her American visit. V. good lunch. Then to see "Marigold"—charming & amusing. After tea went to Crosby Hall to see Erica. Some supper at Gt. Western Hotel, & I got home about 11.0.

8^th.

At last we are having glorious weather. R. & I started at 2.0 & had a perfect ride, about 23 miles—through Theale to Bradfield, then up tremendous hills to near Ashampstead, down to Basildon & back by Pangbourne. We took tea & had it in a field, & got home about 6.0 in the moonlight. We had a most interesting talk about R's work, etc. F. at Sydenham.

9^th.

12^th.

14^th.

15^th.

Sat. A lovely day. All went by 12.25 to Pangbourne & directly we got there had our sandwiches. Then walked on left side of river, to a ferry near Streatley (about 3 miles) crossed & came back by thro' woods on other side. Colour magnificent. R. & Betty got tea at a little inn & walked all way to Reading. The rest of us got v. nice tea at a shop in Pangbourne & came home by train arriving about 6.0. Music in evening.

16^th.

Betty had to go in evening. She & Erica have been so lively & we have been in fits of laughter.

17^th.

Erica went. Q.M. tea at 5.0. I went & stayed to hear Mabel Harrod, & brought Mary Park home for night. V. nice. Frank at Woodbrooke—he began last week giving 2 lectures for Horace Alexander who is away. He goes on Monday & returns on Tuesday.

18^th.

21^st.

22^nd.

Katie Hennell arrived to dinner, but went out in aft. Brought M^r. H. to supper.

23^rd. Sunday.

24^th.

25^th.

26^th.

F. Ruthie & I to see 'Ben Hur' at the pictures. Rather disappointing I thought. In evening R. Music Club. Dorothy Helmrich singer & W^m. Primrose, violin.

27^th.

I gathered an enormous number of apples & pears. I'm sick of the sight of them!!

29^th.

Rob. went to a conference at Jordans. F. to Adult Section of C.E.C. at Saffron Walden. A lovely mild day, so Ruthie & I had dinner at 12.0 & went soon afterwards by bus to "Merry Maidens" then walked down footpath to near the Loddon & got over 1 lb. of blackberries. Tried a new way coming back & got nearly stuck in mud! Home to tea & I let Minnie go home for the night.

30^th. Sunday.

V. mild. Ruthie to meeting all alone. Had a lovely peaceful day together, only I was not particularly well.

Nov. 2^nd.

" 3^rd.

5^th.

6^th.

8^th.

9^th.

Prize Giving at in University Hall. Ruthie got 2, one for Maths. & 1 for Latin. (Shakespeare & the Legacy of Rome.) Lady Hambleden gave them away. Prof. de Burgh in chair. F. rushed off to M.M. I got tea, then home to see Ruthie & back to Meeting House at 6.0 to hear W^m. Brown on Anti-Vivisection, then F. & I to Kendrick School to Music Club concert—Beethoven Quartette by Wood-Smith Quartet, & lecture by M^r. Fox.

10^th.

12^th. Sat.

Yesterday F. went to Dolgelly to speak to Miss Nightingale's school, then to-day to M/C. to see Marg. & to Halifax for week-end, then Woodbrooke.

Ruthie & I after early dinner started to bicycle to Bucklebury—fine most of the way; about 14˝ miles. Great wet mist just before getting to Bucklebury Slade which we had some difficulty in finding. Stayed with M^rs. Robbins, a widow, who charged us 7/6 each a day & cooked well. Lovely sitting room, so quiet & lovely view, facing South, & bedroom above.

13^th. Sunday.

Cold, frosty, sunny day. Walked to Cold Ash & called on M^rs. Hill, but she was out. In aft. another walk. Games in evening.

14^th.

Wet, but went a walk. Started home at 2 1.30, calling on old bowl maker on the way. I think he is the last in England & quite famous. Does them by hand, & made one for us to see while we were there. Got home at 4.0. Dia had slept Sat. night here, & Rose (washerwoman) came in last night. Robert went to Rawlingses to tea & supper. I missed Play Hour, but went with Rob. & Leonard to "No More War" meeting. I sat on platform. Town Hall nearly full. Prof. Gilbert Murray gave excellent address.

15^th. Friday.

Ruthie had small party—6 children. Gt. success. No christingles, but crackers. 4.15–7.15. Frank in to tea, & then to give a lecture.

19^th.

22^nd.

M^r. Dyland has said he wd like Rob. back for a year after passing his final—it is a great compliment. Discussion on War & Social Order at Meeting House.

23^rd.

25^th.

Ruthie's elementary music exam. M^r. Cook examined. I heard some of what she did (in the passage) & I felt so important with my one & only pupil. She had scales, broken chords, ear exercises & 3 pieces, one a Beethoven. In evening I went to Adult Suffrage Meeting at which I was a steward. One Conservative member Williams spoke v. well, & M^rs. Spring Rice & Miss Monica Whately.

26^th.

30^th.

Miss Belinda Chainey's Sale & tea at the Institute. Evening at Kendrick School lecture {by Major Shea-Simonds} on violin & playing by Prof. Spencer Dyke.

Dec. 3^rd.

Dec. 7^th.

Rob. F. & I to hear the "Elijah" done by Reading Philharmonic. Cheapest seats, but good. Performance excellent, particularly "Elijah" taken by a man called Joseph Farrington.

8^th.

14^th.

15^th.

17^th.

L.P. show. F.M. & I did not stay to speeches, but went to school to see Ruthie as "Alice" in "Alice in Wonderland," at a party of 80 ex-soldiers. She did splendidly, never prompted once, & they did some of "Thro' the looking glass" too. She looked so sweet & exactly like the part.

19^th.

20^th.

F. & M. went skating at Whiteknights small lake. Evening began to thaw. Rather a relief, tho' a pity skating is stopped.

21^st.

23^rd.

25^th. Xmas Day.

C. & R. came in at 7.0 to our bed with their stockings! Had pork pie, boiled eggs, Yule doos for breakfast. Only opened some presents, as Rob. was going to the Adult School.

All of us to meeting. Mild day, but snowed hard in evening. Dinner of turkey boned & stuffed with chestnuts, haricot bean shape for R. & me, artichokes roast pot. bread sauce & crumbs, plum pudding & custard, mince pies, dessert, coffee. Then opened our most delightful presents. Just before tea M, C. & R. acted a little play called "Thirteen". M. was the husband, C. the wife & Ruthie the maid. It was good & amusing. After seeing that, Minnie went home till the next night.

Tea, Xmas cake, crakcers, then Xmas tree & carols. Supper ~~pineapple~~ or peach trifle, pork pie, etc, & so ended a happy day.

26^th.

27^th.

Rawlingses to tea & Soad, a Mohammedan girl. Played "Hunt the thimble" etc & F. & R. sang. Bitterly cold. Severe frost.

28^th. Wed.

I woke up at 1.30 & really was very sick & ill all night. Had to stay in bed all day, with nothing to eat till evening. F. so kind. Washing had to be done to-day too. I missed the pantomime for which we had taken seats in honour of R's 21^st. birthday, so Kathleen Timms went instead of me. They took Leonard Peto & had a very good time. "Cinderella." Wonderful ventriloquist.

31^st.

All but Robert to skate on floods by the river. Good practise, & very first time for C. I was very bad at it!

1928

M. & C. went last night to Friendly Circle party. Ruthie not v. well, so couldn't go. None of us sat up.

Jan. 1^st. Sunday.

Jan. 2^nd.

Robert went to begin lectures at Law College & stay at Penn Club in London. I shall miss him dreadfully. He teazes everyone, but is full of the joy of life & spirits & I love to hear him singing about the house & coming in from work full of news. He is going to go to an office in London too.

3^rd.

4^th.

7^th. Sat.

Rob. came home at 1.30. He is enjoying his work at the new office & goes out to courts, etc. He begins his Law Classes next week. He likes the Penn Club very much. F. came back later & had had a delightful time.

9^th.

10^th.

F. M. & I to hear M^rs. Randolph Clarkson & W^m. Graham M.P. on temperance. V. good. M. & I giggled, the chairman (Rev. Griffiths) so absurd.

11^th.

13^th.

14^th.

Betty, C. Ruthie & I shopped. Aft. Betty helped me to put new leather on the pedestal desk R. & I are giving Robert. He & Betty went to L. Peto's dance at G. Western Hotel. I went to bed, but couldn't sleep & got up & they went a motor ride with Leonard's friend & didn't get home till after 1.0. I was rather vexed!

15^th. Sunday.

We are celebrating R's 21^st. birthday to-day. He didn't come down till after 9.0 & as he was going to Adult School, we left the presents till after dinner. He got some beauties & I think is pleased with our desk. We had poems & songs. I made his birthday cake (sponge cake iced with 21 little candles) & we also had a walnut cake (fuller's)—small orange creams at dinner. Games. I think he enjoyed the day. Betty left in evening. It has been nice having her.

16^th.

18^th.

F. Ruthie & I saw Caro off, with Joan Talbot & Kathleen Timms. Poor C. was very tearful last night & could hardly keep up to-day. Aft. started spring cleaning Robert's room.

19^th.

Had 2 teeth out in aft. as they had been aching. Now I have none on the top except the front ones.

20^th.

23^rd.

24^th.

Spring cleaned Minnie's room. I had a headache & felt wretched, so F. went alone to Book Club on Voltaire.

25^th.

26^th.

Play Hour now on Thursdays instead of Mondays. Last night excellent concert—Harold Samuel—Bach concert. He has an exquisite touch & gave interesting little lecture too.

31^st.

M^rs. Matthews & I helped Ida Sargent with her party for the girls of her handicraft class. They used to be in our Play Hour.

Feb. 1^st.

Yesterday Minnie & I cleaned linen cupboard—I began it the day before. She washed it for me & then went on with her ordinary work. Also Rose came & washed nearly all the mattress covers, & under pillow covers.

Feb. 2^nd.

Minnie & I cleaned spare-room. I did very little in aft. because of Play Hour, but she was finished by about 4.30. We got the floor washed before dinner.

4^th.

R's (bedroom) friend Noel Taylor for week-end. He is a very nice young man, Yorkshire, older then R. an accountant. Plays piano well. Also much interested in looking at Father's life, speeches, etc. R. & he went to film Metropolis in evening.

Feb. 6^th.

I had my presents, as to-morrow only Ruthie will be at home. Visitors book from F. "Quo Vadis" Robert. M. slug-trap—C. is making a tray, Ruthie thermometer. Minnie & I started to spring clean his room—in aft. she ironed as usual.

Feb. 7^th.

I got a lot of nice letters, Ł5 from B. silk stockings from E. & stocks. from Jeanie. F. home to tea.

In morning Minnie washed floor of M's room & in aft. polished furniture. Cleaned out children's room as usual.

8^th.

Aft. Minnie swept top part of stairs & scrubbed them & the paint. (I took carpets up) M.M. & concert at Kendricks School. M^r. Kelson & M^rs. Trenchett. Dull.

9^th.

11^th.

15^th.

I went to London by 12.10. Shopped, met F. after 3.0 & we went to Burlington House to see Lord Iveagh's collection of old masters—v. good—also some more modern paintings. Had high tea, met R. & went to Daly's theatre to see "Lilac Time". V. pretty, but seats 8/6 each—only standing room in pit. F. & I. got back after 10. a.m. Minnie spring cleaned scullery pantry & larder.

18^th.

A fine Sat. at last. R. & I bicycled beyond "Three Firs" & got a large bunch of snowdrops. Had tea at Padworth (1/3 each.) about 20 miles altogether. I got a puncture when near home.

20^th.

21^st.

Minnie cleaned children's room, then we started to spring clean our bedroom & worked till tea-time. F. & I to L. of Nations Union meeting. Brigadier General Crozier spoke very well.

22^nd.

Thick fog, but turned into lovely day. Minnie & I went on with our room & practically finished it, but it was terribly tiring, for I washed & ironed all the curtains & valences, etc. They out to have been done in readiness!

25^th.

Robert went to York for a Young Friends Conference, so could not come home for the week-end, & F. Ruthie & I had a quiet time with no visitors.

27^th.

28^th.

Ruthie came home at dinner time with headache & temp. of 102°. I put her to bed. It is the result of agitation over the exams, I believe which are just finished. They have them in the middle of this term at the Abbey School!

In evening meeting in Institute "Does it matter what we believe"? F. introduced it very well, & there was good discussion.

29^th.

(Leap Year.) Spring cleaned bathroom—Minnie did most of it alone. Ruthie much better & up to tea. I went for short time to Liberal Bazaar & in evening to R. Music Club members' evening concert.

F. at C.G.C. etc. He seems to have greatly impressed members with a speech he made on education. He had a long day of various meetings not reaching home till nearly 11.0 p.m.

March 2^nd.

Rain. Ruthie's friend—Peggy Mileham—fame for week-end—(half term) & Esther in evening.

3^rd. Sat.

Turned out into glorious day, quite hot. Had dinner early, then Rob. & I by bus—the rest in Esther's car to 'Three Firs'—there we met & walked to Ufton Court & then got a large bunch of primroses. Walked back by Padworth Inn, & F. & I home by bus, in time for high tea at 6.0. Then F. Esther, Rob. & I went to L.P. to see Staff do Galsworthy's 'Escape'. F. took part of the old gentleman & did extremely well, & looked so nice in M^r. Elliott's plus fours. Unhappily I had an awful cold.

4^th.

Sunday. My cold bad, so did not go to meeting, but lovely day, so in aft. Esther took me & Peggy & Ruthie to Eversley & Finchampstead Ridges in car. Norah & John to tea.

5^th.

Esther went away. I took Peggy & Ruthie to see copy of Bayeux Tapestry in Museum—also went round houses. Rose came back.

6^th.

7^th.

8^th.

F. & I went over 3 or 4 houses to let—one to buy. Most exhausting. F. took Ruthie to hear D^r. Barnardo's musical boys.

9^th.

10^th.

14^th.

M's 19^th. birthday. I went to London by 9.25 to see "Ideal Home" Exhibition. V. interesting. Back to tea. Ruthie went to "Merry Wives of Windsor." In evening F. & I to Chelsea Singers—same people as last year & perfectly charming. Also Nellie Chaplin played harpsichord.

15^th.

16^th.

I took C. to the University, then to see houses with Ella. Aft. round Huntley & Palmer's. Rob. arrived Ľ to 11.0 after she had gone to bed, v. excited.

17^th.

Warmer at last—it was severe frost & snow at the beginning of the week. Rob. & Constance to Streatley & a long walk over downs to Compton etc. Arrived back at 6.30—high tea, & then to "If I were king" at theatre. F. Ruthie & I went over house in Elmhurst Rd, then to Sonning to see another, but did not go over it.

18^th.

Sunday. Several to tea—Jack Thoroughgood, Leonard Peto & Miss Hutchinson. John E. to supper.

19^th.

I saw Constance off at 9.25. She is a sweet girl—I only hope poor Robert will be happier now, but he seems in a rather restless state.

At 10.30 I had 4 top front teeth out, & at 3.30 4 more top ones, 8 altogether & I have none on the top now. I had cocaine, but felt horribly nervous. Afterwards for days my mouth felt horrible & I looked awful. I have a close bite & it makes the bottom teeth press on the top gums. Of course I could go nowhere during the week, & a big bottom tooth began to trouble me too.

21^st.

26^th.

F. went to Woodbrooke for his last lectures. Minnie & I started to spring clean the study, & in aft. I went on with it, but at 2.30 I went to Flack & told him to draw my tooth. He was quite sympathetic, for it hurt a bit & ached a good lot afterwards, as it had an abscess at the bottom of each root. He said it was a good thing I went to him. I came back & went on cleaning as Minnie was ironing.

27^th.

Minnie cleaned the dining room & we both went on with the study & F. finished the books when he came home. We heard to-day that the executors have accepted our off to buy this house for Ł1300, so we are relieved on the whole & our house-hunting is ended. They asked Ł1400, but reduced it to Ł1350 & then we said we would buy it for Ł1300. I think it is fair, for it needs a good deal doing to it.

28^th.

April 3^rd.

Ruthie broke up & came home. F. & M. went to see dancing, etc, at the Abbey School & I went to meet C. who said I looked awful & she would hardly have known me. 10 mins. after we got home she began the violin & I played her accompaniments!

I am still going to the dentist to get impressions taken & so on, generally about every week.

5^th.

6^th.

Good Friday. R. & C. got some tennis at Palmer Park. R. M. C. & I went to hear the Messiah (part of it.)

7^th.

Sat. All of us by 9.30 to Newbury—taxi for 3/- thro' the town, then walked a few miles up the Lambourne Valley. Rather a lot of high road, but got down to the river where heaps of marsh marigolds. Had dinner on logs in a field & found a glorious tree for swinging on & lyong on. Then walked on to Welford & got heaps of primroses in a wood. Ruthie saw a snake!

Fine day but not too hot! Got home at 5.0 & had high tea & milk & biscuits later. Minnie had done nicely.

8^th. Sunday.

9^th. Easter Monday.

Had the washing but let Minnie go home in aft. Fine all day till evening when poured & during the week got bitterly cold.

11^th.

13^th.

M. C. & I to gallery to see "Paddy the next best thing" 1/6 for the 3 of us. Very good play. Cut out I think for very short.

14^th.

15^th.

17^th.

A good deal warmer & some sun, so the 3 girls & I started at 11.0, walked to the town, then trammed to Caversham & walked to the bluebell wood at Mapledurham. Got there at 20 to 1.0—had dinner & then got beautiful bluebells, tho' not fully out. Then got cowlips & walked back to Caversham, arriving just as it began to rain. Got home at 3.30 & had an early tea.

Next few days still cold, but one day the Badminton court got marked & a jolly game played.

20^th.

Had Peter & Pat Robson, Bimbo Grigsby & Jean Brown to tea. Just before, M^rs. Cane came to tell me that M^rs. Turner had died suddenly in the afternoon. I went along to see ~~her~~ Miss Turner after 6.0 & as she was all alone in the house poor thing I stayed the night. Rob. went to the Skurts' dance at Denmark Hall.

21^st.

I got up at 6.30 to attend to the stove in kitchen (in a coat & stockings) & suddenly the bell rang—the brother from Wakefield (head of the jail) had arrived. I had to open the door & he had no idea who I was! The other brother arrived soon after & I got breakfast ready & then came home. Aft. R. M. & C. went to a Friends' Walk, ending at Padworth, & R. & M. to supper to Ella's.

22^nd. Sunday.

23^rd.

Weather improving, but rain in aft. Marg. back to M/C. Ruthie with her to Disley.

24^th.

25^th.

26^th.

May 1^st.

I was terribly depressed all day—my teeth are too horrible for anything. Esther brought Ruthie back in her car (166 miles I think) about 6.0 o'clock. It was lovely for her, & they stopped to see Kenilworth & Lichfield.

May 2^nd.

3^rd.

On April 30^th. we started the drawing room. The men came in on May 1^st. to whitewash & paper & stain the floor & finished it on May 3^rd. On the 4^th. M^rs. Cane came & finished cleaning it. All the sofas & chairs have been re-covered & it is lovely.

5^th.

7^th.

Started spring cleaning the dining room. Sent carpet to Newbery's. Aft. to tea at Stansfields. Lovely garden. Lots of people there. I find it most difficult to eat—teeth won't keep in!

8^th.

Dining room finished, all except staining floor which M^rs. Cane did after carpet came back on 10^th.

9^th.

10^th.

Rose washed a lot of blankets & then she & Minnie spring-cleaned the hall. I helped with various things. On Sunday 6^th. Rob. told me a lot about his having fallen out of love (C.R.) & that he is much happier now!

17^th.

I went to London, to see Miss Beswick, Evie's eye lady, & was an hour with her & now have to do eye exercises. Met Bowes at 1.30 & he motored me to Roehampton where Betty took us over the lovely grounds. Had tea at Richmond & saw the deer in the park. Bowes & I got back to London about 5.0 & separated. At 7.0 I met Robert at Friends House, & we went to hear Albert Schweitzer on his work in Lambarene.

18^th.

M^rs. Cane & Minnie cleaned the kitchen & scullery, & now all is finished except cellar, tool shed & bicycle house.

22^nd.

24^th.

1^st. day of Y.M. I went up arriving about 1.0 & went to Ford's Hotel, Manchester St, where Isabel Richardson met me & took me to see poor George in the nursing home. I had lunch with her & then met F. at Friends House. Interesting discussion on temperance. Evening F. spoke well on the need for intellectual equipment in education. He & I had tea tog. & saw the pretty little exhibition of pictures by Friends no longer living.

F. went to Penn Club to reunion of contributors to Qua[r]terly Examiner & I caught the 9.25. F. ˝ hour later.

26^th.

M. has gone to York & Rob. is going to-night. Rob. took Ruthie to Madame Tussauds & F. saw her off in aft. I had tea with her here & then I went to London where Frank gave the Merttens Lecture. About 400 were present, a lot of young people, very good for 8.0 o'clock on Sat. & the lecture was splendid. Lots of people went up to speak to F. afterwards. I felt very proud of him. We got home about 11.0 p.m. Rob. stayed for the lecture & then went to York arriving, i think, about 3.0 a.m.

May 28^th.

Whit Monday. The weather began to improve on Sat. & to-day at last is really hot. We had the washing as usual, only Rose went off early & Minnie had to-morrow aft. instead. F. went early to London, Ruthie & I by 9.20. Went straight to the London Museum which was free & open & very few people there. Ruthie delightfully enthusiastic over it. Then we got seats in St. James' Park near the lake & ate sandwiches. Then walked to Trafalgar Square, got 3^d ices, & train to Friends House. Aft. session dull. Tea there with Katie Mennell. Home by 7.0.

May 29^th.

Garden party at L.P. in aft. Ruthie & I went. F. in London. Opening of Reckitt House & swimming display.

May 31^st.

I was gardening when Dora Minshall, Diana & an Italian girl arrived. All rather swell, but very nice—Diana charming. I felt horribly untidy. Ruthie came in from school with Peggy Mileham.

June 2^nd.

June 6^th.

It poured in the night & early morning, but turned into a lovely day, & we had a most successful little Badminton party (the game was given to the children by Colin & Esther last Xmas.) We had 7 people, 2 young married couples, the Wards (Wantage Hall,) Lawsons (Grove House) Janet & Kathleen Rawlings & Miss Hutchinson. Came at 8.30 straight into garden—coffee & biscuits, teacake (cold) & a few nice buns about 9.0 or rather sooner. When dusk went into drawing room. Poured again after they left.

9^th.

I left for Petersfield & arrived there about 12.40. Erica met me & we shared a taxi with 2 others to Steep where we had lodgings with a M^rs. Green. Evie is most kindly having me as a guest & I have a lovely bed-room. Mabel & Erica & Evie there & Elsa came in to dinner. Aft. saw school, had cup of tea in Elsa's room, walk in evening.

10^th. Sunday.

One shower, otherwise fine, but really cold in evening. We took sandwiches & went a glorious walk, high up, views splendid. Tea in Elsa's room, early supper & to school service, very nice. Spoke to Baddeleys & went in to the Powells house.

11^th.

Said goodbye to Elsa & (the 3 girls have been such fun) got a bus before 9.0 to Hindhead. Evie & I went to see Nelly Corder & I went on to Haslemere & saw Bettie Jullion, then to Shottermill & had dinner with the Ransomes. We all met for 3.12 train & parted at Guildford. I got home about 5.30 & had Premises Com^tee in evening.

12^th.

Book Club picnic. V. nice but not sunny. To head of Lambourne valley where we had supper. Saw the church & pretty almshouses at Lambourne. Started at 5.0. Back 10.30.

13^th.

14^th.

Nice to have a quiet day in, but poured. F. went to stay with Arthur, then is going on to Kendal to give Merttens lecture again.

15^th.

Expected Bertha in aft. She has not been here since before America. Did not turn up till 10.30 p.m.—has driven the 'Berwick' all alone from York, round by Nottingham, where she stayed last night. Gt. hunt for a garage.

16^th.

Sat. B. & I started soon after 10.0 in the car for Oxford. (Robert has M^r. Taylor coming for week-end & Ruthie is going to act as hostess!!) Stopped for few minutes to see Dorchester Abbey. Went to Roger & Mary Mennells' house at Oxford, & Dia turned up & we had a nice tea meal. Then left for Broadway which we reached in brilliant sunshine. "Lygon Arms" full, but we wanted to see it, so got tea there. Exquisite place. Then on to Stratford—full there too, so had dinner at the 'Shakespeare' & went on about 6 miles to Aston Cantlow. Not particularly nice—lot of drinking going on.

17^th. Sunday.

After breakfast started again for Stratford & saw outside of the famous places (inside closed ∵ of Sunday) Then to Warwick, (almshouses outside, & castle.) Good lunch at King's Head, apparently empty, & saw Sir W. Scott's bedroom.

Then to Bakewell, Baslow & finally stopped about 7.30 at Smedley's Hydro, at Matlock. Large Victorian place. Dinner. Drinking water (after concert) when at 10.30 p.m. all sent off to bed. V. nice bedrooms.

18^th.

Started off about 12.0 & had sandwiches in a field—then on to moors near Sheffield & to York via Ackworth—tea in Inn. Arrived York 5.0. Put me out at Mount & Caro was very surprised, as she had not expected me so soon. Saw her weaving & playing tennis. Talked to Miss Waller, in bed with bad foot. Nice evening with Bowes at B. Croft; so lovely & comfy there.

19^th.

Civic week in York. Mount went big excursion so I did not see Caro. Went round Terry's & to see Rowntree's Park. Theo. & Kath. to lunch. Edna to dinner & Ronald Pockney. Bowes went to London. Ber. took Edna & me to see "The Professor's Love Story" by Barrie. B. consulted me or rather talked about Ronald during the day.

20^th.

C. to lunch, then B. Dia, Billy C. & I & May Harrod to Gala. Gt. fun. Back to tea, & Dia motored C. & me to the school. B. & I saw the Procession of Old York—Wesley, Cromwell, etc.

21^st.

Thursday. Round Hunts Brewery. Most interesting only I couldn't stay till end. To see C. & to hear her violin lesson. Nice talk with Miss Lindsey & Miss Waller. Caro sweet when I said goodbye. Bowes, B. & Dia motored to Bradford after lunch, so Edna saw me off at 3.0 & I had an easy journey home, & it was lovely to get back though I've had a delightful time. F. met me.

22^nd.

Ruthie came into our bed to greet me, & Minnie gave me a nice welcome when I got downstairs. Esther came in evening & of course Robert, the darling.

23^rd.

A glorious day. F. played cricket at L' P. Esther took R. Ruthie & me in her car to Bradfield, & fortunately we got tickets (returned at last minute—it's an invitation affair) It was a perfect day—we had to wait in queue & got excellent seats, Ruthie & me together. It lasted from 3.15–4.30. "The Rhesus of Euripides" & was quite enthralling—beautiful dresses, splendidly acted, very clear speaking & with a translation one followed well. 2 white ponies with little chariot came in. Afterwards we went to a field & ate tea, & then home by Pangbourne & Maharajah's Well, Checkendon, etc.

25^th.

27^th.

30^th.

July 2^nd.

4^th.

5^th.

Felt very back-achey, but did a lot of shopping with M. & played games with her.

6^th.

Friday. A terribly close day, & I felt dreadfully tired. Discovered my temp. was 100°, but had to pay a brief visit to town. Went to bed after tea—temp 102°.

7^th.

In bed. 8^th. Sunday. In bed & feeling very miserable. Visitors whom we had never had, but of course the others had to entertain them.

10^th.

Tues. Got up in evening to go to important Premises Com^tee. interviewed 3 couples.

Abbey School Fair—M. waited at tea (almost all aft. till 6.30.) She & Ruthie got back just before 9.0.

11^th.

Aft. went to Fair to tea, but too poorly to enjoy it. The weather is glorious & hot.

12^th.

14^th.

Rob. Taylor (here for week end)—Marg. Ruthie & I started at 5.30 on river—went below Sonning Lock, then back a bit & got out & had supper on banks—tomato & cucumber sandwiches, strawberries, biscuits & lemonade. (Had ices earlier on.) Got back about Ľ to 9.0. F. at Q.M. Oxford.

15^th.

17^th.

18^th.

M. & I started in char-a-banc for 14 at 2.30 for Lady Astor's at Cliveden. M^rs. Archibald, M^rs. Hampton etc went too. V. hot. Glorious grounds. Tea—speeches to celebrate women getting the vote at 21—M^rs. Fawcett spoke. Got back 8.15. Lady Astor not there.

19^th.

F. went to Bootham—or rather York—to give 2 or 3 lectures at Bootham. Stayed at Penns House.

20^th.

21^st. Sat.

Sat waiting for the Morrells to come in their car, but about 12.0 got telegram that they had had a breakdown.

22^nd.Sunday.

23rd. Monday.

I forgot to say that F. arrived home on Sat. night astonished to find me still here.

I started for a tour abroad with the Morrells in their car at about 10.30 & had a splendid 3 weeks. I took only a small suit case, a coat, umbrella (not needed) & parasol. They gave me a grand time, paying everything, & it was very nice to live sometimes in luxury again & see glorious places! I left the family with M. to look after them, but on the 27 she started for a week's walking tour in Wales, & Esther called for Ruthie in her car & took her to Wheel Birks, whither Caro had gone already. M. joined them there later.

Poor F. was left alone, but on the 28^th. he went for week-end to Sophie's (Rob. stayed at Penn Club) then came back to Reading & on Aug. 4^th. F. & Robert went to a Summer School at Woodbrooke & Minnie began her holiday.

August 13^th. Monday.

Rose came in for the day to clean, etc. F. got home early & went several times to station to meet me, & I finally arrived about 10.0 p.m. We had a very happy meeting & then a blissful 'honeymoon' of 2 days together, quite alone, gardening, etc.

16^th.

17^th.

Lovely day. F. Isabel & I by morning steamer to Goring—climbed Streatley Hill (had lunch first by river) then back to in evening, tea on board.

19^th. Sunday.

20^th.

F. Isabel & I in aft. by bus to "Three Firs"—heather exquisite—took tea—but only stayed there a short time.

21^st.

M. C. & Ruthie came home about 9.30. Lovely to get them back. C. has gained 6 lbs. but M. does not look well.

23^rd.

24^th.

Robert came back from abroad in evening. After the summer school he joined a Friends' party & went to Geneva for about a week & then for 3 or 4 days to Finhaut.

The rest of the holidays were spent in various things—a lot of swimming for the bairnes, Badminton, tennis, a few small sort of parties, blackberry picnics (the 2 places on the Loddon & the common near it, & Bearwood Park (Mole Inn) river—M. went alone one day—C. & Ruthie another. On the 28^th. F. & I had a long cycle ride taking lunch, on the way to Ewelme.

Sept. 3^rd.

One day M. C. & I went to London, shopped in morning had dinner at a cafetiera [sic], & then went to see the Italian marionettes which are wonderful.

8^th.

Douglas Gibbs came to see Rob. in aft: the 2 girls were at a "Friendly Circle" at M^rs. Sargents'—not Ruthie.

Sept. 11^th.

To celebrate F's birthday to-morrow we all (except R. of course) bicycled to Henley (hired one bicycle)—got there about 12.0. Got a boat & went on river for 4 hours. Heavenly day & we all loved it—I felt it just blissful & the reflections etc were exquisite. Had lunch below first lock—rowed a good part of way to Hurley. On way back F. & I had cup of tea at Lock House, children lemonade. At Henley the 3 girls had a lovely bathe in the river baths. We bicycled home via Wargrave & had high tea at 6.30.

Sept. 12^th.

13^th.

15^th.

Sophie went. Fęte at L. Park to get money for Sibford. Gt. swimming competition—team school races—a "wet" alphabet (C. did a neat dive) all our children did well—Rob. went in too. Tennis, bowls, etc. Rather chilly.

19^th.

20^th.

22^nd.

26^th.

F. & I saw M. off—she is going for a few days to "Hamp's"—Evelyn Davison's—at Birkenhead—before College. She has been so sweet & helpful—always doing the breakfast & a lot of cooking. I shall miss her much.

Heard yesterday of Carrie Evan's death; She was a good friend to me. Special M.M.

Sept. 17^th. the house began to be painted outside & looks so nice—it took 3˝ days.

The Premises Com^tee. have been very busy getting new caretakers (M^r. & M^rs. Dyer) & settling the Pococks at Hurley etc. I am on the Com^tee. & it has been very interesting.

28^th.

Oct. 1^st.

Started upholstery. "Duvet". 14 or 15 of us. Marg. went to Ashburne Hall from Birkenhead.

Oct. 2^nd.

Started Play Hour—Ruthie went to Council Meeting as they are doing "Civics" in her class. Dia helped. She has come as Assistant Bacteriological Lecturer at the University & is in lodgings at Shinfield Rd.

3^rd.

Lovely day. Aft. at 2.30 F. R. & I & Dia bicycled to Kingswood Common & got blackberries. Took tea. Home 6.30.

At the end of Oct. Esther got ~~invited~~ engaged to Alan Adams & seems very happy. She brought him here on Oct. 27^th. & she stayed with us, he in an hotel (I expected to be full up) & on the Sunday there were Esther, Alan, Dia & Betty & M^rs. Crichton to dinner, a gay, merry party. (F. was away—Rob. Ruthie & I here.)

We've had the Erhart Quartett at the R. Music Club & the Klingler Quartett—Violet Wallis was married on Oct. 30^th. & we went to her reception a day or two before, & on Nov. 3^rd. Rob. & I went to see "Plunder" at the theatre, a very amusing play.

Nov. 3^rd.

I longed for the country, feeling tired with visitors, so F. & I went by 10.6 to Pangbourne & walked thro' the woods, crossed in the ferry, back thro' fields & home to dinner soon after 1.0. The colour of the trees was quite superb, & gorgeous, & at first it was lovely & sunny.

Nov. 6^th. Tues.

F. saw me off to M/C. by 12.0 train. M. met me about 5.15 & we had tea in the tea room, then I met Ernest & went to Disley with him. A meal at once & Evie & Ernest had to do the Library—Evie had 150 people to-day. It is a wonderful education work & takes up a lot of E's time. I went in to watch. The loft makes a splendid place for it. Then Ernest & I walked down to see the "Wakes" & had a go on a merry-go-round.

7^th.

Evie & I cut our pyjamas etc. (I had breakfast in bed) I went to Stockport directly after lunch (poached eggs) then tram to Heaton Moor Rd where I met M. at 3.0 & we called on Emily Pollard. Christabel there too. Then to M/C. to tea with Margy in her charming ground floor room. Delicious tea. At 6.0 we met E. & E. & had a meal at the Squirrel; then Evie took M. & me to see Godfrey Tearle & Mary Malone in "the Acquital"—most exciting. Preceded by Mr. Tearle giving excellent Shakespeare recitations. Evie & I motored home—M. tram.

8^th.

E. & I beautiful walk by canal. Also called on old woman—Miss Jackson—interesting old person who has not been as far as the village for 30 years!

Aft. went with E. by car to M/C. tea with M. then called on Falkner (Agnes out) & saw Anna. Meal & Hallé concert—splendid. Jelly d'aranyi, etc. M. came home with us.

9^th.

V. hard frost, but glorious day. Started (M. Evie & I) about 10.30 in car. At Gawsworth, a lovely spot, saw the old church & the hall in the Rectory—then had lunch in a field, & then saw the exquisite Moreton Old Hall, a black & white building, before Eliz^ths time, with a moat all round, a ballroom etc. Then on, over 1000 ft up, to the moors above Buxton, thro' the latter & home to tea. A pleasant evening together, playing games & reading.

10^th. Sat.

M. & I left by 9.10 train for Stockport, where M. saw me off by the 10.20. I have had a perfectly lovely time in M/C. & E. & E. have been so kind, & it has been so lovely to see M. well & happy—my first visit to her. Got home after 3.0. F. & Ruthie met me. Tea early & F. had to go off to Welyn for week-end.

11^th.

Betty went. Dia came to dinner & brought M^r. Hetherington—thus vanished Ruthie's & my quiet week end together, but Ruthie was so sweet to me & kissed me over & over again & said she had missed me so. She often says "I do adore you", & at present I am feeling depressed with Robert's change of views & long for spoken love!

12^th.

13^th.

14^th.

Dia took B. Ruthie & me round the University Model Farm, & we had tea at her lodgings. V. good Schubert evening at Kendrick school.

15^th.

16^th.

Rob. came home late & said he was engaged to Elizabeth Pinhorn. It was really a shock. He has only known her 2 months. But he is always giving us shocks, as during the last 2 or 3 months he has changed all his views, takes meat (wine when he can get it!) no longer a strong I.L.P. person, resigned from nearly all his societies & rarely goes to meeting, ~~though~~ or spiritualist churches or anything!

18^th.

How I long for the happiness of my beloved boy, though it is hard to give him up to someone else. He is such a good son, & so lively & interesting—Elizabeth is a lucky girl. She is about 4 months older than he is, studying to be an Secretary. She is an Oxford B.A. I did not go to meeting feeling too agitated. R. sang in afternoon & said a poem. He had given up saying them. He went to church with Leonard in evening.

19^th.

Bertha came back, as poor Dia has to give up her work here & diet. I am sorry for them, but it is a mercy they went to a D^r. as Dia has nearly had an abscess.

20^th.

B. with Dia all day, packing, etc. but nice time with me in evening. F. to Halifax for night.

21^st.

23^rd.

24^th.

Erica for week-end. R. & she went walk in aft. & to "Sorcerer" in evening. F. & I to London Symphony Orchestra at University.

25^th.Sunday.

I have just got my new teeth & my mouth was painfully sore. In evening, F. & I went to station to see Eliz^th. Pinhorn on her way back to London from Oxford, where she had been taking her degree. (Rob. went to church with Leonard—I wanted to see her without R.) We found her easily—sweet face, but she had a cold & looked very pale. She is small. It was a rather painful opportunity, but fortunately only a few minutes long. I felt positively dreadful!—& I have a little reason, having been switched off from one person to another in the last few months! & having been told a few weeks ago that there "was nothing in it"—that he wouldn't marry till he had had a good time & so on. Still I hope it is all for the best.

I wanted to tell Erica & Ruthie, but R. is only telling some of his own friends. We did not feel it ought to be public till they had the sanction of her parents.

28^th.

F. & Ruthie went to hear Captain Fowler (humourist) I to W.E.A. lecture by Rodney Bennett on Schubert.

30^th.

Dec. 1^st.

Ruthie with some of the school started from the school at 8.0 in a char-a-banc to see over Berengaria at Southampton—also Winchester Cathedral. Got home about 6.0. Rob. had just arrived for high tea & told her of his engagement. She took it pretty cool-ly—said she had expected him to get engaged. Gardiner not well enough to come. F. went to York. R. to dance. I to hear Sir Alan Cobham on his journey round Africa in a flying boat. Most amusing & interesting—good slides. It was at L.' Park.

Dec. 3^rd.

It has been a nice week end with Robert. Several to tea yesterday. F. came back in aft. Had nice time at York. Seen Caro.

4^th.

5^th. Wed.

M^r. Pinhorn had written saying that he & his wife wanted to see us, & wd either come here or cd we go there. Finally they came here, arriving R. West at 3.0. F. met them. I was in a state of great nervousness & excitement. Minnie out, but I had prepared a lovely tea beforehand & Ruthie & Peggy Mileham were here. They got here about 3.20 & I took M^rs. Pinhorn upstairs to get off her coat; then F. & M^r. & M^rs. P. & I sat in drawing room & had a satisfactory talk & saw photos of Eliz^th. & showed them photos of Robert. They had been, like us, angry at first, feeling R. & E. are too young, but they think now that it must be made public. M^r. P. thinks a long engagement a great mistake, but says apart from money he wd not have let Eliz^th. marry so young, so he thinks they must be engaged at least 2 or 3 years, as you ought not to marry under Ł500 a year now-a-days. They seemed pleased about Robert's character & the family record! They were very nice—had lived in Penang where M^r. P. was a Headmaster of a school. M^rs. P. is a sister of M^rs. Bevan Lean. Bevan has since told M. what an extremely nice girl Eliz^th. is! We had tea at 4.30 & then went back & talked till 6.0 when F. set them on the way to the station. They are living at Oxford. We liked them very much, & it was satisfactory to see them & talk things over. M^rs. P. has not seen R. yet.

6^th.

7^th.

12^th.

Excellent R. Music Club concert—Joan Elwes & Keith Falkner. Both sang beautifully. Aft. prize-giving. Ruthie got 2—Latin & English & looked sweet curtsying in her pretty white dress. M^r. Norwood, Headmaster of Harrow gave an excellent address & his wife gave away the prizes.

14^th.

At 10.30 p.m. Robert arrived with Elizabeth Pinhorn. Most exciting, but naturally we felt constrained at first & I felt very nervous.

15^th.

R. & Eliz. went to coffee with Jack Thorowgood, then with sandwiches (tho' a bitter day) to Mapledurham & in aft. to tea with M^r. & M^rs. Dryland. F. & I to L. Park to Hobby Exhibition, etc. Evening R. & E. to a dance at Gt. Western Hotel. She looked sweet with her pretty fair hair in a lovely green dress.

16^th.

Sunday. All to meeting. R. & Eliz^th. a good deal congratulated! Leonard, Raymond & Barbara Robson & Clifford Talbot to tea. Played many games. Afterwards singing & showed E. photos of Robert!

17^th.

R. & E. went off from here at 8.15 to go back to their work. We ~~have~~ liked her very much indeed, & are thankful R. has chosen someone so nice. It is now quite public & I wrote to tell E. & Bertha yesterday.

19^th.

22^nd.

F. Ruthie & I went to York (long week-end tickets) arriving soon after 4.0 only about ˝ hour late. M. (who had gone a day or two before from M/C.) & C. met us. Robert arrived later from London. Betty away at winter sports, but rest at home.

23^rd. Sunday.

Some of us to meeting. Aft. M. C. & I to Minster to hear the "Messiah" but C. & I did not stay till the end.

24^th.

Hugh, Colin & Esther arrived. Molly, Rhys, Peter & Ioan came to St. Mary's on Saturday. Evening carols & C. R. & Billy sent letters to Santa Claus probably for last time.

Xmas Day.

Presents, Yule doos etc. Ordinary lunch as dinner in evening. Excellent play got up entirely by Billy, C. & Ruthie "Mother of Pearl" (Cockney.) They did act well & looked so amusing. Colin half read half said "The dark lady" by Bernard Shaw. All this was after tea when the wee Richardsons had gone. Crackers—Xmas tree, & carols. Singing in evening.

26^th.

27^th.

All except Robert went off by 10.0 train & arrived Reading West about 4.0. Minnie had everything nice, & it was lovely to have M. & C. at home again. Robert went to Penn Club, & next day for his visit to the Pinhorns at Oxford till Monday, when he starts work again.

We had a happy quiet time together reading "Gackie's" reminiscences aloud which Evie has given us typed, sewing etc. V. cold weather. C. plays a lot, mostly piano. I was glad to let the old year go. None of us sat up.

1929

Jan. 2^nd.

Friends' Social to which all went. (except Robert.) 7.–10.30. Rather long but jolly games.

4^th.

5^th.

M. C. & Ruthie to London, where Sophie had taken tickets for them for "Scarlet Pimpernel". 2 or 3 days later Sophie became ill.

7^th.

8^th.

Play Hour treat 5–7. About 49 children—small older class too. M^r. Illingworth did good conjuring. I was not v. well & had breakfast in bed. M. & I did the washing yesterday, as Rose couldn't come—rather much. We are having very frosty weather & no sun—horrible.

10^th.

11^th.

12^th.

Rob. M. C. & I to Reckitt House—quite swell party 7 to 11.0. Played Radio Whist. Gt. fun. M. & C. got prizes.

13^th.

14^th.

Margy went to M/C. I miss her greatly; she is so helpful & sweet & always does the breakfast now, so beautifully. She & C. are very grieved that they have never seen Elizabeth.

15^th.

Packed for C. etc. She did not cry to-day, but looked very pale & had no appetite.

16^th.

At 12.15 I caught the train to London with 3 others & we went to Deptford to see the Rachel Mc'Millan Nursery School. Most interesting & charming. 300 children & 40 students in training. Cold intense.

18^th.

19^th.

21^st.

R. & E. returned to London. We feel more at home with Eliz^th. now & enjoyed her 2^nd. visit more than the first. She is a sweet girl; lovely fair hair very prettily done.

23^rd.

We have had a lot of trouble to get hot water & to-day the men said the boiler was leaking badly & must be renewed. As the range is very old we decided to have a new one or new arrangement—v. awkward in this cold weather. I went to London by 9.25, looked at Inter ovens, then to exhibition of Dutch pictures, shopped, got sick of London, went to the Circus at Olympia as I had taken tickets for Rob. & Eliz. It began at 7.30, but they didn't turn up till after 8.0. We had splendid seats, & it was wonderful & thrilling. I didn't get home till after 12.0 & F. was at Woodbrooke. It seemed funny to take Eliz^th. for when I first planned to take Rob. somewhere he was not engaged.

24^th.

Began getting the range out. Want a triplex, but too expensive so are having an Ideal Boiler & gas stove.

Next few days miserable—very cold, no hot water except what we boiled, no fire in kitchen, (temp. below 40) & indescribable dirt & hardly able to get into pantry.

On Monday, Jan 28^th. as we cd not do washing, I got Rose & she & Minnie finished spring-cleaning M's room & spring cleaned Minnie's room too.

On the 29^th. the gas was turned off nearly all day, so Rose went home to dinner & we got ours down from Goddards—a lovely hot dinner. Ruthie thought it great fun. One or two days there were 5 men in kitchen, gas men & man doing the boiler!

On the 30^th. the boiler was practically finished & gas stove in, & fresh men came & white washed ceiling & distempered walls.

31^st. 2^nd. coats of distemper etc. Boiler lit in kitchen but with the cold weather etc, it did not draw well the first day.

Feb. 1^st.

Men came to finish off, but soon went—boiler tiresome at first, but in aft. water gloriously hot. Rose, Minnie & I spring cleaned the kitchen—dirt awful. Of course now the fire is on the weather has turned 12 degrees warmer.

Feb. 2^nd.

Minnie did down stairs & I helped Rose to spring clean scullery. She & M. finished it in aft. F. Ruthie & I went to a shop for dinner. Rob. not home this week-end.

Feb. 3^rd.

4^th.

New arrangement wont dry the clothes at all & wont heat the kitchen. I hate it, tho' the water is always hot.

I felt poorly, but went with Ruthie to Prof. Seaby's lecture on Dutch art, & then upholstery class. Got back & found temp. 101° so went to bed.

5^th.

6^th.

7^th.

My birthday. F. & Ruthie brought up lots of lovely presents & letters—F. pot of quince jam, Ruthie 2 hdcfs marked by herself with an M.

D^r. Field gave me internal examⁿ Treat me for rheumatism & various other things. I got up in aft. F. went to Woodbrooke for Adult Section conference.

9^th.

15^th.

16^th. Sat.

V. cold, but no wind, so F. Ruthie & I went to Wellington College by 11.0 train walked about a mile to Kingsmere Lake & had some glorious skating. Unhappily snow fell yesterday, but men were brushing it. Took sandwiches. Poor Ruthie did not like it much & got very tired. Home about 3.30 & had tea at once!

17^th. Sunday.

Skated in aft. on large Whiteknights Lake, but ice rough, & many rough people about.

19^th.

20^th.

Went on with R's room, but F. had to help in aft. as M. did not seem well, so I let her go home. F. went to Book Club on Victor Hugo, but I was too tired & cd not leave Ruthie.

21^st.

V. hard day & I got terrible back-ache. Decided in evening (under much doubt & stress of mind) not to send Ruthie to the Mount, partly because she is getting on so well here, & partly that we hardly like to take a 3^rd. scholarship (if she gets it) & cannot send her without. I do hope we are doing right.

23^rd.

Rob. & Eliz. arrived in morning—we had hot dinner to make it easier to-morrow. F. went to Cambridge for week-end. Rose to clean kitchen in aft.

Drizzling, thank Heaven! The frost has really gone at last—it began to go 2 or 3 days ago. Ruthie & I by 3.30 bus to Spencer's Wood to see M^rs. Edwards & her week old baby. Had high tea at 6.0 & R. & E. went to Cinema.

26^th.

Rose & I spring cleaned the study—began in aft. & finished next day I believe. Curtains of our room frozen outside.

27^th. or 28^th.

Sent telegram to Mount to cancel my letter of night before saying Ruthie wd not enter for scholarship & have entered her at once

March 2^nd.

~~F. went to~~ Frank, Ruthie & I had a peaceful week-end. F. went to speak at Friends' House on 3^rd. in aft.

March 4^th.

Ruthie began the Mount Scholarship Exam—finished on the 8^th. Last week I did not feel at all well—Minnie was away—we were spring cleaning—& F. & I had to decide about Ruthie & the Mount. On Feb. 26^th. he really decided to keep her here, & I wrote to H. Williamson who is acting as Head at present to say so. Afterwards I felt unhappy about it & next day (27^th.) F. went to London & told me to send a telegram to cancel my letter if I wished. R. was in bed poorly. All the morning I worried, but at 12.0 dashed along to cemetery & sent a wire & the papers arrived on March 2^nd. I think. We were only just in time in applying—in fact possibly were a day late.

6^th.

8^th.

Minnie came back at last in morning. Has been away ill since Feb. 20^th. Rose spring cleaned stairs & all is practically finished except dining & drawing rooms

9^th. Sat.

A really lovely day, hot & sunny, so Rob. & Eliz. went to Finchampstead Ridges & F. Ruthie & I bicycled to Padworth & got snowdrops (about 9 miles there.) We started 11.30 after R's music lesson. Sat on logs in really hot sun for dinner & yet there is still ice everywhere for there was skating only 6 days ago! A year ago we picked primroses—no sign of them to-day. Got back about 4.20. High tea at 6.0.

10^th.

Esther & Alan turned up for tea, so nice. F. & Rob. sang—the latter sang Linden Lea later in evening beautifully.

12^th.

13^th.

I was a delegate to the N.B.W.T.A.U. in Oxford Rd Wesleyan chapel. Ethel Stevens is Sec. for the County & seems most popular. I stayed to the lunch & then came home & at 3.30 F. & I went to M.M. for the rest of the day.

15^th.

16^th.

R. & E. took lunch out. Jack Thorowgood to tea. R. & E. to Friendly Circle in evening at H. Stevens's. J.W. Graham for week-end.

17^th. Sunday.

18^th.

19^th.

Modern Plays at Howard Smiths—T.C. Elliott there with his fiancée Janet Payne.

20^th.

F. Ruthie & I to matinée of "Under the Red Robe". Splendid seats for 1/2 each. M^r. Kelson very good as the hero.

21^st.

Went to see poor old Miss Tyler who is very ill. Heard that Ruthie has got a scholarship to the Mount & done v. well.

22^nd.

To Prevention of Cruelty to Animals meeting. Evening to Liberal workers meeting.

23^rd.

F. & M/C. to stay with Evie & speak at Q.M. Marg. came home at 3.0!! Ruthie met her as I went to Reading Music Club concert—Adila Fachiri violinist & Percy Underwood baritone. I took M^rs. Timms.

26^th.

27^th.

March 29^th.

30^th. March. Easter Sat.

Robert went on Thursday (from London) to the Easter gathering at Ackworth wh. is 150 yrs old this year. It is is first O.S. visit there.

The rest of us went to Midgham by train, except M. & I who cycled (10 miles) then walked along by the canal & up to the wood close to the Volunteer—got a few primroses, but they are very late this year. Had lunch & I had a rest, then on to Daffodil wood—got permission from gamekeeper. It was a glorious hot day, & the daffodils were exquisite, but we had to hurry off to Midgham to catch a train about 5.30—it was a good long way (4 or 5 miles) & we had a desperate rush, but just arrived in time. I was so tired that I took my bicycle in the train, but M. cycled. High tea 6.30.

April 1^st.

April 3^rd.

F' & I in aft. to Oxford to tea with Pinhorns (I had a sick headache in morning but recovered in time) Elis. met us & we went by bus to Banbury Rd. Whole family delightful. Ruth & Rachel played, piano & flageolet. Saw M^rs. P's lovely sketches of Penang. Beautiful tea. The 3 girls saw us off about 6.0

Ap. 4^th.

5^th.

Elis. & Robert came about 10. p.m. C. had gone to bed. It is the first time M. & C. have seen her.

6^th. Sat.

Had invited over 40 people mostly Friends to celebrate the engagement & about 35 came. 4–6.0. I got Emily Pearse to help & wait. M. C. & R. did the tea—F. & I & Rob. & Elis. in drawing room. Sunny but very cold. On the whole a success I think. People were very nice. In evening, gave R. & E. 2 coffee cups!

7^th.

8^th.

Children took E. round H. & P's. Rob. had gone back to London. E. went back to Oxford in evening.

10^th.

F. & C. to Nursery Schools at Deptford. M. Ruthie & I went by 10.0 (about) bus to Stoke Row—walked to Nettlebed thro' fields & woods, along high road to Nuffield & back from there to Peppard, as it was beginning to rain & was bitterly cold, & we cd get an earlier bus from Peppard. High tea at 6.0. C. came back for it—F. to M.M. & Marg. went later.

12^th.

13^th.

C. to Sibford for a young Friends' gathering. She is going to stay a little longer. Taylor for week-end.

15^th.

16^th.

F. Ruthie & I to Banbury Q.M. starting at 7.30 in motor char-a-banc with other Friends. Horribly cold. Good meetings & nice lunch in the lovely old Banbury cake shop. Got home about 7.0 I think.

18^th.

Saw M. off to stay with Audrey, en route for M/C. No, I didn't see her off, as I had something else to do.

19^th.

C. came home in evening, having had a lovely time, esp. playing accompaniments for Morland Braithwaite, etc!!

22^nd.

23^rd.

Ruthie & I saw C. off; it is horrid letting her go, & she is sad at its being her last term. I have been very depressed.

Ruthie & I had a nice week together, going to the Womens' Institute show, etc, & she went back to school on May. 1^st.

There has been a long drought & plenty of sun, but very cold weather almost since last November—hard frosts at night even on May 2^nd. our bird bath was covered with ice. Everything is very backward—the blossom only just out.

May 4^th.

Ruthie & I started at 2.0 & cycled to Mapledurham—walked to bluebell wood & got a lot but they are mostly only ˝ out & this is a fortnight later than last year—then to cowslip field where they were fully out, & back to tea.

Last week a man flew from England to India in 50 hours!! & it usually takes about 3 weeks to get there I think by steamer, etc.

May 11^th.

Rob. & E. came. E. is now Sec to firm of Accountants & can't get here till Sat. aft. Abbey School Sports. Ruthie in Sack Race. I went with F. to watch, but was not well & had to go to bed after tea.

12^th. Sunday.

In bed ˝ the morning. R's friends M^r. & M^rs. Rathbone motored up from London to dinner—aft. some went in car to bluebell wood. 11 of us to tea—M^r. & M^rs. Macfadyen (Liberal candidate) Rathbones, Leonard & M^r. Graveson from Penn Club.

All this week F. & I busy nearly every morning helping at Com^tee. room, addressing envelopes & folding, etc, & F. spoke occasionally too. I felt v. tired & determined to go away for Whitsuntide. Rob. at Sidcot with E. Marg. at York, F. left alone here & Ruthie & I in morning to ~~Bournemouth~~ Boscombe (M^rs. Mordin, Grosvenor Gardens ("Ivanhoe") Got there about 12.20, cold & grey—we are the only visitors & have a lovely sitting room with a fire, & fairly nice bedroom 9/- each per day. Turned into lovely aft. & Ruthie had a splendid bathe. Tea in charming café outside overlooking sea—back to early supper, then by tram to Bournemouth to Dan Godfrey's concert in new pavilion & to see the film "Berlin". Not back till nearly 11.0 p.m.

Sunday May 19^th.

Glorious hot day. Lovely morning on sands & R. had a long bathe. Yesterday we walked along to Fisherman's Walk & back on cliffs. Aft. to Bournemouth—pier—called on Edward White but didn't see him, etc. Back at 7.0.

20^th.

Whit Monday. R. bathed & "mucked about" with the sand. Lunch at M^rs. Mordins'. She has been most kind & nice & cooked beautifully. A widow with 3 nice children. Then took our bags to Bournemouth St., then down to see sands, but a seething mass of people. Tea—rather ices & scones. left at 5.6—unhappily changed into wrong train at Basingstoke & got carried to Waterloo & did not get home till 11.0 very tired & having wasted at least 9/- Poor F. anxious & had met 2 trains.

21^st.

22^nd.

23^rd.

25^th.

To Baths with Ruthie. F. to Y.M. I went up in aft. Parents' meeting not very helpful.

26^th. Sunday.

27^th.

30^th. Thursday.

Gt day of election. Not much for us to do, so I went on with a mattress. F. & I voted for M^r. Macfadyen early. Rob. & Elis. (their first votes) voted in London (Labour.) In evening Ruthie lay down & went to sleep—F. went into town early. At Ľ to 12—Reading Hastings by good majority & Macfadyen bottom—most disappointing. We went to Leonard's office & saw the crowd from there cheering Hastings, & got home about 1.30 a.m.!! Minnie voted Labour.

31^st.

June 1^st.

In evening Ruthie & I bicycled to Bearwood—rhododendrons glorious, also broom & may. The country is heavenly now but rain is badly needed.

June 2^nd.

The Bennetts (R's old singing master) & their little daughter Ann to tea. She is 2˝ & behaved perfectly & was absolutely sweet.

4^th.

7^th.

8^th.

V. doubtful day, but except for tiny shower was quite warm & kept fine. Met Eliz. about 2.30 & went by train to Pangbourne, got a boat & went on river. Took tea, & at ferryman's cottage got boiling water & got out to have it on the bank. Most successful. F. sang "Eton boating song" & R. Roger Rum, & Gt American railway. Got home at Ľ to 8.0.

9^th.

10^th.

R. & E. went last night as R. began his Final this morning—3 hours in morning, 3 in aft. & same to-morrow. (60 questions) He has been working hard & is very tired. Lovely hot day. Evie, Mabel & I started about 11.0, walked by river to Sonning, had lovely bathe in French Horn pool, ate our lunch by river, then got a punt for 2 hrs—home by bus to tea. Mary White to supper.

11^th.

Took Evie to Forbury Gardens, etc, then she & Mabel went round Huntley & Palmer's.

In aft. they went at 3.0. It has been lovely having them. Evie is so sympathetic & kind; Mabel a fine girl & repeats poetry so well.

14^th.

R. came home at 10.30. Papers had been "vile" he said & he was rather depressed.

15^th.

Eliz. came in aft. Now that she is Sec. to a firm of Accountants she can't come so on Friday.s

16^th. Sunday.

17^th.

18^th.

Ruthie has holiday from Prize-giving. 8 Play Hour children to tea. Weather perfect & garden gay with poppies, pinks & roses.

19^th.

Wednesday. About 6.30 Jack Thorowgood came to tell us M^r. Dryland had heard that Robert had passed his Final with percentage high enough to go in for Honours. We were pleased & excited & F. went to the General P.O. & sent him a telegram which he got just as E. & he were starting for the theatre. (F. & I had meant to take them, but it was too expensive) He began Honours on the 17^th. (before he knew result of final) & finished on morning of 19^th. Wed. but stayed up in London.

It is a relief. I really thought he would pass, but he seemed doubtful himself & made me feel nervous.

21^st.

22^nd.

23^rd. Sun.

24^th.

25^th.

So this five years training that seemed so long in anticipation is over already & I feel quite sad!

27^th. Thursday.

Elis. says she saw R. off to Germany, where he is going for 2 mos. before settling down at M^r. Dryland's for a year.

29^th.

Elis. & Ruth her sister came for weekend. They & Ruthie went to open air performance of "Taming of Shrew" at Bulmershe Court. Frank & I to University to Dr. & Mrs. Childs farewell party 8–11—mostly University people there. Chelsea singers. All very nice indeed.

30^th. Sunday.

Rain at last, thank goodness, but so cold we have a fire. I saw off by 9.44 to Ackworth where he has gone to invigilate.

July 1^st.

Breakfast 7.30, then the 2 girls went off to London. Ruthie & I had a peaceful 3 days.

July 5^th.

I met Eva Edmundson at 4.18. Robert is getting on well, but is not feeling extra well—very hot in Germany. Such cold winds here. He is at

a flat built for tramwaymen, & he got the room thro' 'Ido' friends whom he had never seen—they—the Jacobs are very kind to him to take him about. I think he gets breakfast with them & other meals out.

July 6^th.

Aft. took Eva to Degree Giving at University. Only lasted ˝ hour, but dignified & impressive.

8^th.

Eva & I by bus to Three Firs. Bell heather lovely. Aft. tea at M^rs. Marshall's.

10^th.

11^th.

12^th.

I saw Eva off at 9.25. Aft. B.W.T.A. Com^tee. At 9.0 p.m. met Frank home from Ackworth & Bootham. So nice to have him again.

13^th.

Amusing animal show at Abbey School. Ruthie exhibited Jerry. Eliz. came too & we had tea there. V. hot. Musical chairs on horse back.

14^th.

17^th.

Peggy Mileham came in morning—Ruthie wildly excited. Marg. in aft. I went to watch Ruthie swimming in relay form race. She has a fine & quick breast stroke. M. came from Swanwick where she had had an interesting time. She is in great form. We have v. good news of Robert from Berlin.

20^th.

Heard from Eliz. that R. has not got thro' Honours, neither has Rathbone or Hudson. I am bitterly disappointed.

23^rd.

Leonard Peto took M. & me to the Pictures to see "Eugenie Grandé by Balzac. Very good.

25^th.

M. & I by 8. bus to London. Shopped & saw Mrs. Patrick Campbell in "the Matriarch" a Jewish play. V. good.

~~Aug~~ July 31^st.

Caro came home. She has left the Mount but has been with 4 friends at Goathland for the week-end. Jeanie P. arrived later.

Aug. 1^st.

3^rd.

6^th.

15^th.

M. & Ruthie to London by bus. Saw St. Paul's, British Museum, & met Winnie Wilkinson, saw Maskelyne & Devants & arrived home about 1.30 a.m.

10^th.

27^th.

30^th.

At last the longed for day. Fearful time packing, & picking (& selling) apples & pears. High tea at Ľ to 6.0. M^rs. Mc'David came at 6.0 & helped to wash up. She & her niece are coming into the house. At 10 mins. to 7.0 M. C. & I started to walk to the station, F. & Ruthie following in a cab. 7.30 train to London. C. got smut in eye. F. & R. in taxi—we, in tube to St. Pancras (King's X station) Elis. came to see us off. Had booked seats on the 9.30 p.m. & had a carriage to ourselves all the way to ~~Ardrossan~~ Kilmarnock but slept very little. Arrived there on

Aug. 31^st. Sat.

at 6.30 a.m. Coffee in thermos. Here we changed trains & got to Ardrossan about 8.0. Found a temperance hotel close to station & got an excellent breakfast of bacon & boiled eggs, toast & marmalade & tea for 6/2^d for the 5 of us. Then train on to the pier & caught the 10.10 a.m. boat to Brodick. We meant to spend the day there, as we cd not get our house till the evening, but rain began in torrents, so we sent the luggage by a carrier & got the bus to Corrie Hotel. Here we arrived about 12.15 & at 2.0 o'clock had a sort of high tea, fairly nice, & spent a dull afternoon in cheerless rooms, very cold. At last at 6.0 p.m. walked to

Craegard, last house beyond village, where M^rs. Watson a dear old lady, welcomed us. There was a roaring fire in the kitchen, & we were enchanted with the house, but the rain had gone thro' most of our suit cases & all our dresses & underclothing were wet, & we spent the evening drying them & finding things for supper. It was exciting, & jolly, all except the wet things. Fortunately the linen was dry. M. & C. are sleeping tog. (2 beds) Ruthie alone, & F. & I—all the beds are really double. Downstairs there is a room for Robert & a maid's room out of the scullery. There is a lovely large sitting room with 4 windows & a glorious view of the sea, & an extremely nice kitchen & scullery with good range & everything one wants, only I forgot to bring carving knife & fork & a few other things. All the upstairs bedrooms have a view of the sea, & the garden is charming with 2 seats in it—a porch is good for bathing, but the bathing is rather rocky (small rocks.)

Sept. 1^st. Sunday.

Mostly wet in morning, but we cooked a joint, potatoes, peas, apple pie etc. Then went a walk on the hill near the house, while it was fair. There is a jolly stream tumbling down by side of garden. The Watsons live behind us & M^r. W. is a butcher & we got meat, milk, etc, from them.

Aft. M. C. R. & I sketched house—at least after early tea—then we went to the Free Church at 6.30—very nice service & good sermon. Most of us bathed in aft. from house. V. cold. The girls bathe before breakfast.

Sept. 2^nd. Monday.

A really fine day, but rather cold. August has been very wet, here we are told. Funny, for Reading has been too dry. Went to village & at Ľ to 12.0 I think, Robert arrived from Germany. He had spent the week-end with E. at Penn Club. It is lovely to see him again, & he has much to tell us.

Long walk in aft. nearly to Fallen Rocks. All bathed. High tea at 6.30. Children v. tired. C. & Ruthie went to bed at 8.30.

3^rd.

Bathe before breakfast & I dipped my head. Wet morning, so wrote, cooked, etc. Ruthie & C. went a walk, & Ruthie fell off a wooden plank into a stream. F. M. & I short walk.

4^th.

F. Rob. & I started at 11.0 & walked to Brodick 6 miles. Coffee, etc in tea shop. Back thro' golf links first part. The girls had been in a boat.

5^th.

Very misty—couldn't see any hills, but started off for Lach Ranza (9 or 10 miles) & at first it drizzled, but turned out quite fine in aft. Road (tarred) very hard, but so beautiful—high heather hills on each side, streams, & view of sea on Corrie side, then view of it on Loch Ranza side with mainland, & mts of Argylle in distance. Lunch by on heather. Got to L. Ranza about 2.30. Some of us bathed. M. & Rob. walked all the way home, M. last 6 miles barefoot; the rest of us were coming by bus, but it was full & a man brought us in a car for the same price 2/6 each. Dinner at 6.30—potatoes, swedes, pork pie, shape & stewed plums & tea. Of course we had got it partly down before starting.

6^th.

A really nice day & quite hot. R. went to Brodick to meet Eliz. We cooked. Aft. some of us walked to Corrie in bathing dresses & mac's & bathed from the steps there—C. & Ruthie dived & swam to raft. High tea 6.0 & F. M. & Ruthie went up a high hill behind the house.

12^th.

13^th.

Lovely day & one of our best excursions. At 10.40 to Loch Ranza by car & along road 4 miles further. Walk over boggy moorland, hardly any path to Loch Corein Lochain, the finest inland loch about 1200 ft high. Exquisite place. Dinner. Most bathed. Then back over hills to Catacol & along road to Loch Ranza, where sumptuous tea in tea room at 4.0, scones, cakes, choc. biscuits, etc. Back by char-a-banc at 4.45. This was all due to Jeanie's present money, for silver wedding.

14^th.

Wet morning. Cooked. Cleared. Eliz. went away in aft. R. saw her off. It has been very nice having her here, & I think she has enjoyed it. After tea F. Ruthie & I walked Brodick wards to meet Rob.

15^th.

Rob. & Marg. hired bicycles & went off to see some Druidical stones & circles. C. F. R. & I walked up a hill & got about 2 lbs. blackberries. Took sandwiches. Hot in sun. Bathe on return. High tea 5.45 C. R. & I to church at 6.30 & met R. & M. just returning from their ride. After we came back F. read Tennyson to us all, & Rob. came & listened for a bit which was very nice—he always seems nicest when only with the family!

16^th.

Bathe from boat. Even i dived in a fashion! Saw Robert off at 3.0 to stay in Edinburgh with Gibbs—boat out to steamer—he is going to Glasgow by steamer. This makes it seem nearly the end of probably our last summer holiday altogether, & it has been such a happy one. It was rather a venture, but the children have helped so well & I think really enjoyed it. We have worked in couples, F. & C. M. & Ruth Rob. & me (one day Rob. & Eliz. did the breakfast alone, but I made the porridge night before ) The kitchen range is so good that cooking is little trouble. After seeing R. off, we went walk on hill in North Glen Sannox—high tea 6.30. Marg. had moonlight bathe!!

17^th.

Lovely & sunny, but not clear in distance. Left C. alone to look after house, etc & rest, & F. M. R. & I went up Am Binein then on to ridge & right along ridge on other side. Saw deer. Lot of scrambling & heather very thick. View at top of near rugged mts very fine indeed. Back about 3.30. Cup of tea. Bathe. Dinner at 6.0. Nearly full moon—light on sea glorious.

21^st.

B. & I shopped. Aft. called for Ruthie at 3.0 & she & B. & Betty Nancy H. & I to see the new estate B. & B. have bought near Hovingham. Exquisite place. Fearful wind. Car broke down, but a M^r. Moore mended it & we got back just in time for R. to have hasty supper & be driven to Mount.

22^nd.

Sunday. Meeting. Everyone so nice. Ruthie & I to Theo. Rowntree's to dinner—Fred. & Gertrude Taylor & Rachel there. He gave v. good sermon in meeting. Tea at B.C. Several Bootham boys & Billy. Little cinematograph. Edith Davies came & motored R. & me to Mount. Poor R. was very unhappy, says she hates it. We both broke down a little. It was dreadful leaving her. Back to Edna's flat—sad news about Vida. To boarding house to supper.

23^rd.

Left at 10.15—gt rush. Poor B. is very absorbed in various difficulties—love affairs I think. Nice journey. Minnie sprained her foot, but kind M^rs. Mc'David had come to house & had everything nice. Tea with her, then she went but I actually wasn't nervous. Had bath—saw Leonard etc.

24^th.

Washing, ironing, picking fruit, etc. Lovely & hot here, but there has hardly been a drop of rain for months & the garden is absolutely brown & dried up. However v. good apples & pears.

25^th.

Book Club. Robert came home in evening, very tired. Had come by bus from Stocksfield to London. He started work next day with M^r. Dryland at Ł200 a year.

27^th.

M. went to Disley en route for M/C. F. & C. came home at 8.30 p.m. to my joy. Left Corrie at 6.30 a.m. Eliz. for week-end.

Oct. 1^st.

F. & I to Garden Party at University to meet new Vice-Chancellor & wife (D^r. Sibly) In garden that had belonged to Geo. Palmer. V. pretty.

Oct. 2^nd.

3^rd.

Took C. to her first singing lesson. Aft. to reception at University to fix classes. She is taking drawing & painting, needlework, leather work & first aid, & piano—also she plays 2^nd. violin in the orchestra. (very good after only learning for 2 years.)

14^th.

Oct. 31^st.

Rob. went to London to interview Harold Brown (of Linklater firm) This is due to Charles & my speaking to him about R. when he & Stella came to tea a few weeks ago.

30^th.

Oct. 26^th.

Betty came for week-end—Bowes went to-day to West Indies. Robert, Eliz. Betty & Caro to C's first proper dance at Cadena Café (4/-) They all looked very nice. R. had got up a large party. F. & I sat up. They got in about 12.30 & Leonard & Jack came in for a few minutes. Most had soup.

Nov. 6^th.

R. went to London on business. Had lunch with M^r. Shand. F. went to Isle of Wight to give course of lectures (once a week) on economics. Stayed in very sell place near Yarmouth.

7^th.

Rob. had long talk with me (for once) in evening & was ~~rather~~ very sweet. Said how he used to appreciate week-ends here when at the Penn Club.

11^th.

Armistice concert at University. Felt v. proud as Caro was playing in orchestra (2^nd violin) F. ought to have sung in Brahms' Requiem, but was giving a lecture at Ascot.

13^th.

F. is giving a course of lectures at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, on Economics. Has a good audience 50 or 60. Stayed in very swell hou—M^rs. [blank]—lots of the maids, butler, etc went to the lecture.

14^th.

19^th.

Ruthie's first birthday (I believe) away from home. Dreadful for me not to have her chatter & excitement & her pride in escorting her friends along to tea, all changing their dresses upstairs etc to make it like a party.

29^th.

I went to Oxford in aft. to say with Pinhorns—most kind & greatly enjoyed it. Ali & Mahmud—2 Malay boys—charming. Former 14, son of Sultan—latter 11 his uncle!

30^th.

Dec. 4^th.

C. & I went to Abbey School prize-giving—new V.C. (D^r. Sibley) in chair & M^rs. Sibley gave away prizes. Ruthie got one for Greek & Latin & it was horrid not to see her there in her pretty white dress—Miss Smart, Miss Crichton, etc very nice. C. has passed her first aid exam.

6^th.

L. of N. U. Essay Prize giving. Most amusing. Ruthie got 5/- consolation prize—she wrote one of on Nansen's work. F. in chair.

10^th.

F. spoke to W.L.A. on Kenya. Carol Singing at University—hall packed with students—rather wonderful.

14^th.

19^th.

24^th.

Busy cooking. Robert went to stay with Pinhorns at Oxford—alas! our first separation at Xmas. {I was feeling miserable. F. so sweet & kind} Also no Santa Claus for first time, but I hung little bags of goodies, etc, on M's, C's & Ruthie's beds.

25^th. Wednesday. Xmas Day.

At 7.0 o'clock heard violin & singing of carols outside. It was the 3 girls & it did sound so lovely. Minnie went to early communion.

Our own presents at breakfast—the others about 10.0 o'clock—then cooked—for dinner turkey, etc, Xmas pud. mince pies & fruit. Caro took dinner to Miss Rolfe.

Minnie out in aft. Lovely Xmas cards this year. Aft. the 3 girls did a play called "Cousins once remove"—C. made a nice young man!" Tea. Xmas cake & lovely choc. cake given by Miss Tyler. V. pretty Xmas tree given by Hugh—carols etc. C. had given little presents which she hung on tree—gt. surprise. Mine hdcf. beautifully worked by C. Missed Robert. Bertha, Bowes & Dia arrived from West Indies last night I believe.

Boxing Day.

~~Jan~~ Dec. 29^th.

Dec. 31^st.

R. & M. to dance till 2.0 o'clock. Friends party. F. & I host & hostess. C. & R. enjoyed it hugely. We sat up & read poems & F. first footed it, when the New Year came in.

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1922-6 diary | 1930–36 diary | Family history home page | Website home page

Constanza	Maria Ivogun
Blonda	Eliz. Schumann
Belmont	Karl Erb
Pedrillo	Wilhelm Gombert
Osmin	Paul Bender
Selim	Philip Bertram

Diary, 1926–29

by Mary S.W. Pollard

Key

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9 Denmark Road

Reading

1926

April 10th. Sat.

April 12th.

April 14th.

April 15th.

17th. Sat.

April 20th.

Ap. 21st.

22nd.

24th.

Ap. 26th.

27th.

28th.

May 3rd.

May 12th.

May 17th.

May 18th.

" 20th.

May 21st.

22nd.

23rd. Sunday.

24th. Whit Monday.

30th. Sunday.

31st. Monday.

June 2nd.

8th.

9th.

10th.

11th.

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19th. June.

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26th. July.

28th.

29th.

Aug. 2nd. Bank Holiday.

Aug. 3rd.

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7th.

Sunday. Aug 8th.

Aug. 9th.

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Aug. 15th. Sunday.

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Sept. 4th.

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Sept. 17th. Friday.

18th.

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21st.

April 12^th.

April 14^th.

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17^th. Sat.

April 20^th.

Ap. 21^st.

22^nd.

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" 20^th.

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22^nd.

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24^th. Whit Monday.

30^th. Sunday.

31^st. Monday.

June 2^nd.

8^th.

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19^th. June.

June 23^rd.

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26^th.July.

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Aug. 2^nd. Bank Holiday.

Aug. 3^rd.

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5^th.

6^th.

7^th.

Sunday. Aug 8^th.

Aug. 9^th.

Aug. 10^th.

Aug. 11^th.

Aug. 12^th.

Aug. 13^th.

Aug. 14^th.

Aug. 15^th. Sunday.

Aug. 16^th.

Aug. 17^th.

Aug. 18^th.

Aug. 19^th.

20^th.

21^st.

22^nd. Sunday.

23^rd.

24^th. Tuesday.

Sept. 4^th.

Sept. 11^th.

Sept. 12^th.

Sept. 16^th.

Sept. 17^th. Friday.

18^th.

20^th.

21^st.

22^nd.

27^th.

28^th. Tuesday.

29^th.

30^th.

Oct. 1^st.

Oct. 2^nd.

Oct. 3^rd. Sunday.