A Diary of Innocence: 5 - The Diary Cover
It is a glorious day. Arose at 8.45 a.m. Alice and I went to Thirsk. On the way the larks were singing gaily...''
Thirteen-year-old Mary Hutchinson was chronically ill, suffering from tuberculosis, when she wrote her diary in 1927. But her words are full of joy, expressing a love of life and nature.
Tuesday, March 8th. Arose 7.30 a.m. It is a fair morning. It started to rain at dinnertime. I put a picture [on the cover of this diary] with one of my favourite verses on. It is by Canon Langbridge. It was drawn by Miss Maud Angell. I have painted it.
When the world’s weight is on thy mind,
And all its black-winged fears affright,
Think how the daisy draws her blind,
And sleeps without a light.
It rained in the afternoon and we were afraid Bendelows would not come. However it faired and so they came. It is Nellie’s birthday. She got a pair of gloves and a hankie and some chocolates and sweets. We had a very pleasant evening. It was a beautiful evening for them going home. Retired 10 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9th. It is a glorious day. Arose 8.45 a.m. Alice and I went to Thirsk. On the way the larks were singing gaily. I had a tooth out. We went to the barber and had our hairs cut. We also went to the Institute. Then we went to Bendelows’. Then we went home. We have got a fire in the room. It is very comfortable. Our room is very cosy. I like to be in it of an evening rather than in the kitchen. I have not found any bird nests yet. I wish I could. The violets are out. Nellie has quite a lot in her garden. I think the rambler I planted is growing. The chrysanthemums are. A flock of wild geese flew over today. But unfortunately I did not see them. Wild geese are going northward now. I hope I shall see some. Retired 9 p.m.
In the spring a fuller crimson comes upon the robin’s breast;
In the spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest.
In the spring a livelier iris chances on the burnished dove;
In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.
Tennyson
Thursday, March 10th. Arose 8.15 a.m. Today has been a lovely day. I awoke to hear the birds singing and to see a cloudless sky and the sun shining. A spirit entered me and I decided I would go for a long walk. After breakfast I set off towards Topcliffe. When I got out I found it was even a more beautiful day than I had imagined. I cannot describe it. Words fail me. I can only say my every sense seemed satisfied. Everything was satiating to my eyes, and the music of the birds delighted my ears. I felt I could walk for miles. Oh! That was the spirit of walking, and Spring beckoned. I walked into Topcliff and turned down a narrow lane on the left for a little way. Then I turned back. The sun succeeded in getting my wool jacket off. Its gentle persuasion succeeded. The birds seem to be very happy. The hedges are bursting into leaf. Retired 9 p.m.
Friday, March 11th. Arose 8.30 a.m. It is not a very nice day. It has been showers. Occasionally the sun has shone. Yesterday I had the inspiration which will bring forth the “Drama of Life”. Circumstances will plan it. But the inspiration will make it. I also put Kitty Chapman and Miss Susan out in the sunshine yesterday. It has done them much good. On sunny days when the wind is not strong I will put them outside for a while. This morning I cleaned my fountain pen. The birds are courting and many a fight the cocks have over their ladyloves. The skylarks are beginning to rise into the blue firmament. “Bursting their little throats in song”. The weather improved and Alice and I went to Sowerby for some sugar. We went to Mrs. Bendelow’s for a while. Retired 9 p.m.
The Daisy Pocket on this Diary is in memory of my dear little Wag.
In Memoriam
Wag (thus called after a young man so nicknamed) was a Variegated Aloe. He was only small, in all, three leaves. He was given me. He grew quite a lot and I thought he was going to be a very fine plant. Sad to say Wag was accidentally knocked off the table. The leaves were a little broken but not much, and I entertained high hopes of his recovery. Alas! My hope was soon lost. For though I fought for Wag’s life as if he had been a human being, and with means many people would not even have dreamed of, he died. Great was my disappointment and sorrow when I had to take him out of the pot which he shared with two more aloes and throw the little lifeless plant away.
