Open Writing

Wednesday, March 31st (continued) Three years ago my hearing became impaired and I stayed away from school four months. Then I started again. I did very well at school. I went in for a scholarship, but failed health gave way.

Thursday, March 31st. Arose 8 a.m. It is Nurse Proctor's birthday. I went out. I got a lot of violets. It is a fairly nice day. I have found another thrush's nest. It is in the garden hedge. Alice and I went for a walk last night in the twilight, and we found to my great delight that two waterfowl have taken up their home by the pond in Jackson's field. I have started to give Alice music lessons. She is an apt pupil. Jackson's have got a new car. It is maroon colour. Alice went to Mrs. Pick's. Retired 9 p.m.

Again I was at home. Mother took me to a specialist Mr. Steward. It was the fault of our doctor I did not go before. I could have been cured. But I will say no more about it. I went into Harrogate Infirmary, and there I was treated very carefully and well by Mr. Steward.

Friday, April 1st. Arose 8.30 a.m. This is the day of foolery. I made Nellie an April fool. Alice, I and Nellie went to see Mrs. Parker in the afternoon. It is a rather showery day. I have found six birds' nests. They are all song thrushes’ but one, which is a blackbird's. They have beautiful eggs in them. Retired 9 p.m.

In Harrogate I learnt home love and many other things. Oh those weary weeks in that hard school. Learning patience on a mattress. Yet I was everybody's favourite. I did love the nurses. I underwent two operations and at the end of fifteen weary weeks came home.

Saturday, April 2nd. Arose 9 a.m. I repotted Susan Cooper and Kitty Chapman. I went to meet Alice coming from Thirsk. Mother and I went to tea to Mrs. Scott’s, so did Father. We had a very happy evening. It was late when we came home. But it was lovely walking under the starry sky. Retired 10:30 p.m.

It was the end of October when I came home. Grandma was staying with us when I went to Harrogate, but she went home before I came back. Oh! Little did I think it would be the last time I should see her on this earth. But it was. On December 20th, 1925 she passed peacefully away. Christmas 1925 was a sad, quiet Christmas.

Sunday, April 3rd. Arose 9 a.m. It is a fine day but windy and cold. I went for a walk and enjoyed myself. I looked at bird nests. I now know seven nests, six thrushes’. In the afternoon I went for a walk with Father. When I walk with Father I want to know the why and wherefore of everything, and I get to know quite a lot. He went to the bridge and I got quite a lot of violets. They all went to Chapel but Mother and I. We had a fire in the room. Retired 9 p.m.

After Christmas I was in the Infirmary again for three weeks and have two glands removed. They were not altogether unhappy weeks. In the early part of June I started school again. It was so nice to be back at my beloved school again. It is called St. Oswald’s Girls School, Sowerby. Miss Hillyard is the head mistress. I so love her. I think she is perfect. Miss Danby, who taught me when I was very little, died a few years ago. She was a fine woman. Those weeks passed very pleasantly until November 30th.

Monday, April 4th. Arose 9 a.m. It is a cold windy day but fine. Alice went to see Dr. Mitchell. I went to meet her. I got as far as Mr. Kettlewell’s drive end. I passed a man preparing his breakfast over a fire. I bade him a cheery good morning. A beautiful full smile crossed his aged face. Many vagrants pass and call at our house, it being by the side of the main road. Some have very nice faces. I long to help them. Mother went to Thirsk in the afternoon. Alice went to Mrs. Pick’s for a week. I shall miss my beloved sister very much. I have made my leather backed autograph into a birthday forget-me-not. It will serve a good purpose. Retired 9 p.m.

Alice became unwell in February. In spring and summer she was in hospital about ten weeks. She is not better and visits the doctor yet.