trembling and revealing their silvery underbelliesâa sure sign of astorm.
The trees always warn us, if only we would heedthem.
May 11
I wish that Georgeâs paintings had not been lost last summer. I am sure he must still think poorly ofme.
Sometimes my own insignificance oppresses me. I am like the trees in this, am I not? We pay so little attention to them. And yet, how beautiful they are. How unpredictable and moody and wonderful andintelligentâ¦
I think I will go down to the Basin when Uncle Gil goes this afternoon and perhaps walk over to the Lodge, just to see if the boats are in or if any are coming. I do hope that the Stewarts will wait, for it is far too dangerous tosail.
May 15
The Stewarts came early this morning! The Bay was quite rough, and they had a few anxious moments navigating the channel into the Basin. Not Mrs. Stewart though, or Effie with her new babyâthey will come in a few days. But George and Allan, and their stepfather, have all arrived safely. They brought a cow again this year and two horses. The poor beasts seemed quite glad to be on land once again and were all quite docile. There is a new man to take care of the horses, and it seems Susan has agreed to be the Lodgeâs housekeeper for the summer. She brought her daughter, Charlotte, to help with the housework. Charlotte is just a little thing, only eight, and quiteshy.
Allan is almost as tall as I am! I was quite astounded. He will tower over me by the end of the summer, I am sure of it. At first I was confused about how to behave with him. No doubt initially I was a little cool, but honestly I think he has quite forgotten his improper kiss. He whooped and whistled and pumped my hand up and down when he saw me; it was quite a display, and I was embarrassed in front of George. He shook hands with me quietly and asked after Tad and Mother, and then attended to the boats. Old Mr. Stewart was in a terrible mood, and he spoke quite roughly to Uncle G., as if he were a boathand.
There seem to be even more baskets and crates this year, if that is possible. There is quite a stack of furniture and many carpets all rolled up, and Susan had two of her heavy irons in her bag instead of crating them. She is such a funny one about pressing her preciouslinens.
Auntie A. thinks that Mrs. Stewart pines for her first husbandâGeorge and Allanâs real father. He died of influenza many years ago, when Allan was still a little baby. But she must be very rich to come on holiday here year after year. I do not care at all for their stepfather. He is harsh and very stern-looking, and terribly grim in his demeanor. I was truly reassured to discover that there is no shared blood between George and old Mr. Stewart, though he is cousin to Mrs. Stewartâs first husband and that is why he shares the same last name. I am so glad he isnât their blood father. Am I uncharitable? George is almost twenty years older than Allan, and I think he tries to be a good brother. Allan is really quite wildânot in a bad sort of way butâ¦in an animal sort of way. His stepfather is very severe, and so I cannot in good conscience betray Allan, in any of his pranks, to such a rigid and exactingdisciplinarian.
May 16
Mrs. Stewart and EffieâI must remember to call her Mrs. Ferguson the first time I see herâwill come in two days with her little girl. Allan says that George is going to do a great deal of painting and that he, Allan, is going to catch the largest fish that ever was seen on Georgian Bay. George laughed and said that if a reputable source confirmed the catch, he would give him a dollar. Allan jumped about as if he already had his dollar, and of course he upset one of the boats, and then suddenly he was in the water. The Basin is not so deep near the shore, but Allan is not a strong swimmer, and I rushed to help him. I did not realize it, but George was close behind me, and he pulled me back a little roughly. Then he
The trees always warn us, if only we would heedthem.
May 11
I wish that Georgeâs paintings had not been lost last summer. I am sure he must still think poorly ofme.
Sometimes my own insignificance oppresses me. I am like the trees in this, am I not? We pay so little attention to them. And yet, how beautiful they are. How unpredictable and moody and wonderful andintelligentâ¦
I think I will go down to the Basin when Uncle Gil goes this afternoon and perhaps walk over to the Lodge, just to see if the boats are in or if any are coming. I do hope that the Stewarts will wait, for it is far too dangerous tosail.
May 15
The Stewarts came early this morning! The Bay was quite rough, and they had a few anxious moments navigating the channel into the Basin. Not Mrs. Stewart though, or Effie with her new babyâthey will come in a few days. But George and Allan, and their stepfather, have all arrived safely. They brought a cow again this year and two horses. The poor beasts seemed quite glad to be on land once again and were all quite docile. There is a new man to take care of the horses, and it seems Susan has agreed to be the Lodgeâs housekeeper for the summer. She brought her daughter, Charlotte, to help with the housework. Charlotte is just a little thing, only eight, and quiteshy.
Allan is almost as tall as I am! I was quite astounded. He will tower over me by the end of the summer, I am sure of it. At first I was confused about how to behave with him. No doubt initially I was a little cool, but honestly I think he has quite forgotten his improper kiss. He whooped and whistled and pumped my hand up and down when he saw me; it was quite a display, and I was embarrassed in front of George. He shook hands with me quietly and asked after Tad and Mother, and then attended to the boats. Old Mr. Stewart was in a terrible mood, and he spoke quite roughly to Uncle G., as if he were a boathand.
There seem to be even more baskets and crates this year, if that is possible. There is quite a stack of furniture and many carpets all rolled up, and Susan had two of her heavy irons in her bag instead of crating them. She is such a funny one about pressing her preciouslinens.
Auntie A. thinks that Mrs. Stewart pines for her first husbandâGeorge and Allanâs real father. He died of influenza many years ago, when Allan was still a little baby. But she must be very rich to come on holiday here year after year. I do not care at all for their stepfather. He is harsh and very stern-looking, and terribly grim in his demeanor. I was truly reassured to discover that there is no shared blood between George and old Mr. Stewart, though he is cousin to Mrs. Stewartâs first husband and that is why he shares the same last name. I am so glad he isnât their blood father. Am I uncharitable? George is almost twenty years older than Allan, and I think he tries to be a good brother. Allan is really quite wildânot in a bad sort of way butâ¦in an animal sort of way. His stepfather is very severe, and so I cannot in good conscience betray Allan, in any of his pranks, to such a rigid and exactingdisciplinarian.
May 16
Mrs. Stewart and EffieâI must remember to call her Mrs. Ferguson the first time I see herâwill come in two days with her little girl. Allan says that George is going to do a great deal of painting and that he, Allan, is going to catch the largest fish that ever was seen on Georgian Bay. George laughed and said that if a reputable source confirmed the catch, he would give him a dollar. Allan jumped about as if he already had his dollar, and of course he upset one of the boats, and then suddenly he was in the water. The Basin is not so deep near the shore, but Allan is not a strong swimmer, and I rushed to help him. I did not realize it, but George was close behind me, and he pulled me back a little roughly. Then he