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Authors: Anna Mackenzie
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it was our uncle who arranged his transfer?
There was also a letter from Ada, filled with news of our troops departing Wellington (Uncle Aubrey tells me they arrived in time to celebrate Christmas in Egypt). War Fever is everywhere, she says, with no end of fundraising drives. She has included a list of all the young men we know who have signed up, her brother Tom at its head.
Finally, there was a note from Mr Lindsay thanking me for my reply to his card and assuring me that his Christmas break was perfectly jolly â I had asked whether he was happy in Oxford; I hope he did not consider my question an intrusion. He does not reply to my suggestion that I forward Lettieâs address, so I must assume he does not wish to renew that contact.
5 February
William being deemed restored to good health, Father departed for London. Though all know his true purpose, my aunt persisted in the charade of sending messages for Uncle Aubrey. Perhaps they both intend meeting Harry. I wonder what one says to a son of whom one was unaware until after he attained his majority? I am glad Edmund is not here as I fear the matter would cause him distress.
8 February
Lady Braybrooke descended for a visit. Aunt M is most impressed that Winifred and Lady B have âtaken me upâ. I assumed it was Lady Bâs intention to set out The Grand Plan, and indeed she began by praising my bandaging skills and declaring me an asset to her Training Courses (whichcaused Mother to look quite startled), and next announcing that there was A Great Deal More we could all offer the War Effort. She then changed the subject entirely by enquiring after William. If her intent had been to charm Mother with this query it proved entirely successful. Within minutes word was sent to Nanny, and William, wrapped in so much lace he must surely smother, was brought down for inspection. Lady B gave him a considering stare then offered Mother congratulations on producing another fine boy. William rather spoiled the effect by bursting into tears under her scrutiny. Lady B rose to depart without mentioning the plan, but we are invited to tea on Friday. My aunt is quite thrilled.
10 February
I was altogether too tired to write last night. Winifred collected me in the motorcar and we attended a stirring public meeting in Saffron Walden, where a speaker recently returned from Serbia reported on the appalling conditions of the medical services of that country. Hearty debate followed and a proposal was made that the local branch of the WSPU should commit its support to the Eastern Front. Not all agreed and the discussion raged back and forth until ultimately it was decided that, where we are already committed, we must remain loyal, but that a separate fundraising effort will be set up to generate funds for the Scottish Womenâs Hospitals in Serbia.
As a consequence of our late night I overslept and missed Fatherâs early return. He has said little of his excursion but Mother has that tight-about-the-eyes look that does not bode well. I do hope she will have recovered her good humour by Friday, when we are to visit Audley End. As Aunt Marjorie is fond of reminding us, it is a Great Compliment to be invited and we must be On Our Best Behaviour â she seems to forget I have been before!
12 February
It is Winifredâs birthday! Lady Braybrooke announced, over a rather sumptuous afternoon tea, that she felt it inappropriate to âmake a fussâ when so many were Suffering The Chill Effects Of War. Still, I wish I had known! I might at least have taken a spray of wintersweet from my auntâs garden. Mother was thoroughly overawed by Lady Braybrookeâs home, which I am sure is quite the grandest she has seen, but did not immediately acquiesce to The Grand Plan, saying she would need to speak to both Father and Uncle Aubrey before making a decision.
13 February
Father is not immediately in favour of my volunteering at a Hospital, as he thinks the work
There was also a letter from Ada, filled with news of our troops departing Wellington (Uncle Aubrey tells me they arrived in time to celebrate Christmas in Egypt). War Fever is everywhere, she says, with no end of fundraising drives. She has included a list of all the young men we know who have signed up, her brother Tom at its head.
Finally, there was a note from Mr Lindsay thanking me for my reply to his card and assuring me that his Christmas break was perfectly jolly â I had asked whether he was happy in Oxford; I hope he did not consider my question an intrusion. He does not reply to my suggestion that I forward Lettieâs address, so I must assume he does not wish to renew that contact.
5 February
William being deemed restored to good health, Father departed for London. Though all know his true purpose, my aunt persisted in the charade of sending messages for Uncle Aubrey. Perhaps they both intend meeting Harry. I wonder what one says to a son of whom one was unaware until after he attained his majority? I am glad Edmund is not here as I fear the matter would cause him distress.
8 February
Lady Braybrooke descended for a visit. Aunt M is most impressed that Winifred and Lady B have âtaken me upâ. I assumed it was Lady Bâs intention to set out The Grand Plan, and indeed she began by praising my bandaging skills and declaring me an asset to her Training Courses (whichcaused Mother to look quite startled), and next announcing that there was A Great Deal More we could all offer the War Effort. She then changed the subject entirely by enquiring after William. If her intent had been to charm Mother with this query it proved entirely successful. Within minutes word was sent to Nanny, and William, wrapped in so much lace he must surely smother, was brought down for inspection. Lady B gave him a considering stare then offered Mother congratulations on producing another fine boy. William rather spoiled the effect by bursting into tears under her scrutiny. Lady B rose to depart without mentioning the plan, but we are invited to tea on Friday. My aunt is quite thrilled.
10 February
I was altogether too tired to write last night. Winifred collected me in the motorcar and we attended a stirring public meeting in Saffron Walden, where a speaker recently returned from Serbia reported on the appalling conditions of the medical services of that country. Hearty debate followed and a proposal was made that the local branch of the WSPU should commit its support to the Eastern Front. Not all agreed and the discussion raged back and forth until ultimately it was decided that, where we are already committed, we must remain loyal, but that a separate fundraising effort will be set up to generate funds for the Scottish Womenâs Hospitals in Serbia.
As a consequence of our late night I overslept and missed Fatherâs early return. He has said little of his excursion but Mother has that tight-about-the-eyes look that does not bode well. I do hope she will have recovered her good humour by Friday, when we are to visit Audley End. As Aunt Marjorie is fond of reminding us, it is a Great Compliment to be invited and we must be On Our Best Behaviour â she seems to forget I have been before!
12 February
It is Winifredâs birthday! Lady Braybrooke announced, over a rather sumptuous afternoon tea, that she felt it inappropriate to âmake a fussâ when so many were Suffering The Chill Effects Of War. Still, I wish I had known! I might at least have taken a spray of wintersweet from my auntâs garden. Mother was thoroughly overawed by Lady Braybrookeâs home, which I am sure is quite the grandest she has seen, but did not immediately acquiesce to The Grand Plan, saying she would need to speak to both Father and Uncle Aubrey before making a decision.
13 February
Father is not immediately in favour of my volunteering at a Hospital, as he thinks the work
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