A Diary of Innocence: 3 - Uneventful Lives
In her quiet unassuming way, 13-year-old Mary Hutchinson conveys the flavour of English life in 1927.
Tuesday, Feb. 15th. Arose 8.30 a.m. Nice day. A little sun. I went for a walk. Bird observation begun. Washing day. Did some rugging. Nellie went to Knapton. Retired 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 16th. Arose 10 a.m. Very nice day. Quite warm. I went for a walk. Took Rapp for run. Did some rugging. Trimmed plants. Doris removed of damaged leaf. Finished bedsocks. Mrs. Pick and Alice came. Retired 9.30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 17th. Arose 8 a.m. A very nice day. I went for a walk 11 a.m. Took Rapp. Mother not very well. Alice went for a walk with me and we took Rapp. We got some sticks. Retired 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 18th. Arose 8.30 a.m. Dull and cold. I went with Alice to Mrs. Clayden’s. We got a letter from Annie and Harold. Retired 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 19th. Arose 10.45 a.m. Dull cold day. I went to Mrs. Clayden’s in the afternoon. Father went to Raskelf. Alice went to Leslie Hudson’s party. Retired 9.30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 20th. Arose 10.45 a.m. Alice and I breakfasted in bed. It was the S. School prize giving. My prize was “The Old House at Rungate”. Alice and I went for a walk in the afternoon and we took Rapp. Fire in the room. Retired 9. p.m.
Monday, Feb. 21st. Arose 8.30 a.m. Alice went to see Dr. Mitchell. Dull day but fairly warm. I went for a walk and took Rapp. Did some more rugging. Retired 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 22nd. Arose 7.30 a.m. Some rain early. Showers later. Fairly warm. I went for a walk to the Mill Pool and up Nelson Lane. Did some rugging. Retired 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 23rd. Arose 7.45. Did a lot of rugging. Finished rug. A fairly nice day. Got popcorns and handkerchiefs. Retired 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 24th. Arose 8 a.m. Rather damp day. Did something at hankie. Had my hair cut. Retired 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 25th. Arose 8 a.m. A very misty day. A severe white frost. I went for walk. Spent an easy day. Retired 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 26th. Arose 8 a.m. A fine day. I went for a walk. We were weighed. I weigh 6 st. 1½ lbs. Dr. Mitchell came. Alice went to Thirsk. Alice and I much better. What uneventful lives we have been living! Retired 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 27th. Arose 9.30 a.m. A fairly nice day. I went to Morning Service with Alice. Alice and Nellie went to Chapel. I like this poem very much. Retired 9 p.m.
The Waterfowl
There is a power whose care
Teaches thy way along the pathless coast.
The desert and illimitable air,
Lone wandering, but not lost.
He, who from zone to zone
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,
In the long way that I must tread alone
Will lead my steps aright. -
Bryant
For now the Heavenly Power
Makes all things new,
And thaws the cold and fills
The flowers with dew.
Tennyson
