Malinda K. Miller Diary

[Left hand page number] 52 February 21, 1922 - Tuesday Very foggy this a.m. Mr. Roach was here for chota while Mr. & Mrs. Weeks arrived for breakfast; Mrs. M. was invited out for this meal. I took Miss Geis's pocketbook, which she had left on a chair in our classroom, to her, & got Mrs. Rose's hymnbooks before the bell rang. When I returned I dusted them and then hunted up songs to fit in with my theme. Galations V: 22-23, for the fortnightly prayer meeting this eve. Gave Joseph R. [?] [R 2 for 2 rupees?] this a.m. to buy limes & sugar. Miss D. not feeling well. Went to Seagraves this aft. for more song books but only succeeded in getting four. Borrowed eleven glasses from Miss Teel. About forty four were present at prayer meeting, the first, so we were told, ever held in the Guest House. We had gone to town after breakfast, stopping first at the small Singapore Cane furniture shop on Soolay Pagoda Road; then to the English bakery in Phayre Street, where we had to take a gharry to bring our cakes home; then we stopped at Whiteaways, I to get a mosquito net; Miss D. to buy a tooth brush; next the press, where I wanted stamps but couldn't get them, and Miss D. made several purchases; then to the library to return "The Bureau" which I had finally finished over the week-end, & to renew ["Asolea"?], not taking time to get anything else; and finally to the G.H. where we had to dress & see that enough chairs were brought up, things were dusted, etc. I conducted the meeting, after a song "Now the day is over", I read & talked a little; then Miss D. prayed on "Love", another song, fours short prayers; song, a series of 4 more

[Right hand page number] 53 prayers, all by the young people; song, open meeting, when Mes. February 22, 1922 - Wednesday srs. Safford, Weeks & Rogers talked; song & benediction by Dr. Kelly. Miss Hunt got here after the program but in time for refreshments. Mr. Ali Son came this a.m. but asked to leave immediately to attend a real estate deal he had on hand; Miss Seagrave gave us some dictation & later we dispersed early, she kindly taking home her four song books. Then I returned those I'd borrowed from Mrs. Rose, & Miss Teel's glasses; then got a lot of jobs done. In the aft. we went for class to the Seagrave porch, as they have an electric fan, and it is now generally so warm in the p.m., so we will pay for the extra "juice" and try to be more comfortable in this heat. Saya still didn't come, so we studied together for about an hour & a half & then dispersed. We are now reading in the second book, the one we are required to take dictation from, to the neglect of John. Mr. Moffitt, the new American Consul, a young lawyer from N.Y.C., entertained his fellow country men at a lovely lawn fete on our Judson College compound at 5 this p.m.; I got a bunch of home mail on return from class, so stopped to read the letters; by the time we bathed and dressed we were a little late getting there, but others came after we did, notably Mrs. Robbins & Mrs. Wiatt, also some of the Methodist missionaries. I talked to most of the ladies, getting acquainted with Mrs. Grove, whose husband was the Singer sewing machine agency here, who lives on [Shan?] Road and on whom I called last month. Mr. [Whitman?]

[Left hand page number] 54 read a part of Washington's farewell address, while Messers. February 23, 1922 - Thursday Moffitt, Phinney & Howard made short speeches; Mr. Hubble was also called upon before we broke up, & then we sang the 1st verse of America & dispersed. _______ Language school, after a partial holiday, seems worse than ever. I'd forgotten whether Mrs. Grove said tonight or Sunday to dine with her, so I ate dinner here, and then at 8 o'clock she & Dr. Osborne arrived in his car & took me to her house, which is very attractively furnished. The dining room occupies the central space below, and the living room, gay in [cretonues?] above; of course I only got glimpses of bed-rooms, etc on either side. We had a lovely dinner; I managed the tomato soup, of which I am very fond, delicious salad, and pink ice cream o.k.; but had to go light on the meat - lamb with mint sauce; potatoes & brown gravy, creamed cauliflower & green peas; I took ginger beer, but couldn't drink it all, & refused coffee, toast, bread, butter, etc. I fear I did most of the talking; Dr. O. brought me "home" about 11 p.m., after some music on the victrola. Of course Miss D. was in bed so I tried not to waken her. We had a short walk to Minto Mansion in the aft. where we viewed the watercolors & miniatures, all portraits, on display; then took a roundabout way back as to get more exercise. I've been trying to get some postcards written in answer to my lovely letters, but haven't done much thus far; got another bunch today in addition to the ones Miss Ivins brought up yes. aft.

[Right hand page number] 55

February 24, 1922 - Friday Tuesdays & Friday are always more interesting days than the others, as on account of a short school session I can always get more done. I went to town after breakfast having gone to the p.o. for stamps yes. [?] meals, & then washed my head afterwards, as Miss D. had hot water left after doing her own shampooing. Also took pictures yes. around one of the wells on Lower Kemendine Road, & then a couple of our compound dhoby at work. I had to go to the press, where I drew out my last 50 rupees, bought more stamps, left roll of films at de Souza's & got finished prints, & back to [Ahlone?] again in short order. Wrote cards; washed hose, hankies, etc., all aft; also went to see Mrs. Wiatt about deaf school after tea, but the interview was so unsatisfactory in many ways that I was sorry I had done so; Miss Southerland's influence is very evident and I believe it is useless to go on with it. Miss Nellie Lucas came in while I was there, having come down the day before to tell Mrs. Weeks goodbye, & then later getting left at the station; so as she had several hours between trains was putting in a few calls. Then Miss D. & I went to the match basket ball game between the Americans and the college boys (Burmans); the former won by 2 points; a good crowd was present. Then we went to the house of a couple of the native teachers, where Miss D. talked for half an hr. or more. Arrived back at the G.H. I found a telegram from Capt. Lusk of the "Martaban", whom I had invited to dinner saying he couldn't come, but the doctor would; [?]

[Left hand page number] 56 he, but Mr. White, the young engineer who stutters came too; the February 25, 1922 - Saturday others had early dinner, so were through, but we 2 waited for the men, who were late; Dr. Woods left soon afterwards to call on Miss Tufts; I had called out the others, however, who are sailing with this crew on Monday to meet them, so they helped out a lot. They didn't leave till after ten. Took down some of our joggery; also asked Joseph for eggs to help out. Miss Tufts, after losing 22, has gained 4 lbs. ____ Had to go to the General Post Office this a.m. to get a parcel in a damaged condition; it proved to be the "Nations" from Lucile; 3 packs are o.k. but a card is missing from the remaining deck. Also went to de S's again and left more films. Mr. Hattersly lectured to us at 7:30 this a.m. on the "attitude of the missionary towards government", an interesting talk. I took Miss Geis the 2 prints she had ordered, the [phoougijus?] & iron bazaar. Wrote letters and cards all aft. getting more cleared away than at anytime since I've been here. Had intended taking some pictures, but stuck to my pen till too late to do so. The lights did not come on, so we had to bathe & dress as best we could by the light of one candle. When about three they finally came on. We went to Miner's for dinner, where we found Mr. & Mrs. Duff, & Mr. James, an Englishman, in addition to Miss Hastings, who afterwards sang for us, & the family - the two older children remaining up to eat with us. Another fine spread including salad, & pumpkin pie a la mode. After a walk around the tennis court for awhile we again went in-

[Right hand page number] 57

side & did not disperse till a late hour - eleven or after; February 26, 1922 - Sunday hope we didn't wake up the others when we came in. I paid J. before we left, tho' I had to borrow money from Miss D. in order to be able to do so. ____ We didn't get up very early this a.m. as things go out here. Very foggy and damp at first. Miss D. taught S.S. class for Mrs. [Whituah?] again & then went to [Lanmadaw?] to Burmese church. I remained here & wrote to Mr. Hutchison. In the afternoon, was so tired after the dissipations of last week that I laid down & once off, I slept all afternoon, Miss D. having to wake me about 5 p.m. Miss Campbell came & I loaned her "Main Street"; Miss D. went to ch. with Dr. Kelly but I was in the midst of my bath, of course didn't go. Took Miss C. to call at Miss Teel's. where we saw her & Miss Tufts, the other two being out; then walked half way home with her. Coming back I met the pretty red-haired woman who was at the same table with me at Mr. Furnival's dinner; we chatted awhile, she introduced me to her husband and invited me to tea at the Gynekhana Club tomorrow aft. Went to see Miss Tufts again; Misses Bonney and Phillips had returned; a Burmese woman was also there, so I didn't get to ask about the doctor. After late dinner - after ch. service, only had a brief time to write a card & letter & then retire - almost eleven then. Dr. K's "boy" is ill, so he is eating with us these days. They say the Rogers' little girl, Mary, had the plague, but she looks tubercula to me; she is nicely behaved & has lovely curly brown hair which is bobbed.

[Left hand page number] 58 February 27, 1922 - Monday School down stairs in the a.m., at S's in the p.m. when we had conversation. I wore the braided white voil, black sash, slippers & beads to tea with Mrs. Pattle. Saw the McCreaths, Boyds, & Mr. Kingsley whom I knew, and others whose faces were familiar; my hostess was very nice about pointing out people to me; we remained till nearly seven watching the dancing for a little while. Saw several pretty girls and gowns. The tufted furniture was all in old striped blue, done over for the prince's visit last month; saw baskets of the prettiest phlox I've seen any where. Went to Dr. Osborn at noon about my tooth but he could find nothing amiss - to my great relief; he & another man passed in an auto as we were on our way to the Gymkhana. Dr. K., Miss D. & I sat at the table in animated conversation till nine p.m. I then undress upon getting upstairs, read "Asoka" awhile & then soon to bed. Mrs. P. loaned me a thin red bird book which I am looking forward to reading with pleasure. The Rogers, Mrs. Mosier & Miss Peck got off to the Martaban "at noon; I would have liked to have gone with them, but had too many other things to do. Our beds unmade until noon again, when I had to call J. to attend to things. One would think after all that has been said on the subject that we'd have a little better service - but we don't! An Indian funeral passed this aft. with a band playing a recognizable tune - it was "K-k-katie".

[Right hand page number] 59 February 28, 1922 - Tuesday Miss Peterson is back; and Mrs. Conduit and small sons, and Mr. Dudley from [Myiktila?] were here for breakfast this morning - the former on their way to Maymyo for hot season, rather a good looking family. Mrs. Pattle was asking about them yes. Had a note from Miss Chapman in the aft; they had just returned from [Meiktila?]; Mr. D. also mentioned their having been there. Mrs. Robbins said she had not slept well last night and has a busy week ahead of her, so postponed her visit to the Deaf School till next Tues. I can only go with her Tues. or Fri. afts. & Mrs. W. is entertaining for her next Fri. p.m. at tea. Miss D. went to town rather early this aft. and did not return till dinner time. I laid down for a couple of hours; but read the Literary Digest, as I couldn't sleep; then arose, bathed, dressed and was just through these preliminaries when Miss Teel came with a letter from Mrs. Tilbe about the house at Kalaw; she remained about half an hour. Then I went to Dr. Murray for a treatment; he was apologizing for sending me a bill, but as he has to send to Calcutta for the "snow" of course it makes it expensive. I got back before Miss D. & then found she had been to the church tea, which comes every other Tues. aft., the alternate one with the mission prayer meeting. Of course I went to bed early after this, as it always takes a good deal of the life out of me, as this is quite brutal, as one M.D. expressed it

60 March 1, 1922 – Wednesday

Miss Seagrave gave us four girls 2 papyias this aft; Miss D & I had ours for "tea"; Mon. she gave us a lovely looking kind of yellow plum – but they were sour enough to make a pig squeal, while the rather tough skin tasted "fishy". She's only in I. school a little this week as oral E. tests have begun in the Karen school which she supervises. Mr. A. arrived from America today. but the less said of him the better; I met him at Des M. but he evidently doesn't remember it, & far be it from me to recall the trivial incident. Dr. Kelly took Miss D., Miss Peterson and me for a drive this aft., following a call he made on a Chinese Baptist teacher for Mandalay; we went as far south as Monkey Pt; an erstwhile military station, now the chief wireless along the coast; returning we stopped near the spot where the prince embarked & watched the steamers anchored there, as well as the many sampans and other small craft skimming about; going on we investigated the shipping farther upstream, much of the activity of the waterfront being hidden behind the large warehouses, or godowns, that line the way. The most interesting ride I've had in this hot land. I received my first Burmese letter – merely a note from Mrs. Lotta returning a handkerchief I left behind at Zigon, one of the native girls had given me Christmas. After dinner Miss P. invited us over to hear her new victrola which we loved very much. She has some

61 some lovely records; over a dozen of the Karen girls were in also. March 2, 1922 – Thursday We were invited out to Mr. Ali San's to tea this p.m.; Mrs. W., Mrs. R. & Miss Teel beat us to the station here, Miss G. joining us at Kemendine; arrived at Kamayut the last two rode up in a bullock cart, as Miss G. had a sore toe. Returning the [we] came the same way – & came near getting left, but Mrs. R. bought their tickets & Mr. Ali S. shooed them on, so they made it on the run. We had tea – of which I did not partake – and some drink that I am doubtful as to its origin; it may have been baal fruit, orange juice, a mixture of the two, or neither! Then there was shway rice, something like the sticky rice we had there before Christmas; also some of the same kind of amber colored seaweed jelly; rice cakes, some pink concoction made in layers – lovely to look at, but rather insipid as to flavor – and candied pumpkin. Our host gave Mrs. R. a dark blue silk piece painted with a gorgeous Chinese dragon, mainly yellow, but many other colors also, in various parts; he has promised me one also; while for my benefit his niece's beautiful pairs of ruby and sapphire bracelets, and later her diamond ones, were brought down and shown & admired. I took my kodak but only got one picture, a time of the water, hyacinths which I hope will turn out well, tho' I'm exceedingly dubious. We returned soon after six, having gone out on the 4:12 train. Mr. Ali San made about (P. 3000) on his real estate deal which has been occupying so much of his time & attention here lately; he missed school this aft. on the account. I wore the white braided voile given me