A Diary of Innocence: 2 - Jenny Wren
Today we bring you the second extract of Mary Hutchinson's diary. Mary was 13-years-old when she started to keep this charming account of her life in 1927. Despite being tormented by illness she was ever buoyant in spirit.
Tuesday, February 1st. Arose 8 a.m. Alice intended going to Mrs. Clayden’s but the rain prevented her yesterday. Alice has gone to Mrs. Clayden’s. The day was cold but fine. But we had a wet night. Retired 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. A fine day, no wind -- sunny and warm. I went for a walk to the Mill Pool. I have been knitting my bedsocks. Retired 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 3rd. Arose 8 a.m. Dull day. Rather cold. Mrs. Clayden and Alice went to Thirsk and stayed to their tea as they came back. Retired 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 4th. Arose 8.15 a.m. A fine day but windy. I walked as far as the Mill Pool. Dr. Mitchell came. Finished one bedsock. Retired 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 5th. Arose 8.45 a.m. Dull day. Some rain. Mother and I went to the dentist, and I had a tooth out. Mr. and Mrs. Clayden came to tea and Alice came. We had a good time. Late at night Auntie Fanny came. Retired 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 6th. Arose 8.30 a.m. Nice day. Father, Alice and I went for a long walk. I wrote to Nurse Proctor and sent her two handkerchiefs. Retired 9.30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 7th. Arose 8.15 a.m. Wet and dull. Rained all day. Aunty Fanny went home first train. Mother, Alice, Nellie and I clipped clips in the afternoon, joined by Father in the evening. Retired 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 8th. Arose 9.15 a.m. Fine, fair day. But a little wind. Alice and I went to Thirsk to see the dentist. We called at Miss Thompson’s, and she went with us and we called at the Institute. Retired 9.15 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 9th. Arose 9 a.m. Cold day. Not over bright. Mother went to Mrs. Clayden’s 8.30 a.m. Alice went to see E. G. Saxby. I went for a walk. A new “relief” nib will make my future writing much better. Father brought Mother home. Retired 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 10th. Arose 8.30 a.m. Went for a walk and called at Mrs. Fielding’s. A fairly fine day. Morning sunny. No rain. Alice went to Mrs. Pick’s for tea.
Friday, Feb. 11th. Arose 9 a.m. Very cold but fine. Mother went to Thirsk. I went to meet her. I got some new shoes. Retired 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 12th. Arose 10 a.m. Very, very cold. A severe white frost. We had a fire in the room so I stayed in all day until 5 p.m. Then I went for a walk as far as Gristhwaite Lane. Retired 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 13th. Arose 10 a.m. Very cold. A frost. I went for a walk and observed the birds. I saw a Jenny Wren for the first time in Nelson Lane. My letter was in the N.W.G. Retired 9 a.m.
The Saturday’s diary is really Sunday’s and Sunday’s diary is Saturday’s. I made a mistake.
Monday, Feb. 14th. Arose 8.a.m. A fair day. Alice went to see Dr. Mitchell. I went to meet her as far as the first corner entering Topcliffe. Alice has gone to Thirsk. I found this poem today and I like it very much. Retired 9.p.m. Started rug.
Good Timber
The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
That stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king,
But lived and died a scrubby thing.
The man who never had to toil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
But lived and died as he began.
Good timber does not grow in ease;
The stronger wind, the tougher trees.
The further sky, the greater length,
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snows,
In tree or man good timber grows.
