33412-0001-0029

10th. Saturday. The two boys were up at some unearthly hour this morning 1/2-3. I think
we left at 5. just light. Thet wanted to hurry .. I would have given anything to have
gone slow. We got to the ferry 25-7 town time. I made the boys come home with
me & have some breakfast. Was disappointed - No Artie. Twas a mistake
message. should have been "Mother coming" Art not fit to leave B. yet. Coming
later on. Anyway was only too glad to see my little Mother again. She does not
look too well either. Worry I suppose & not much rest. Edie busy packing up. Boat
goes off Heads to-morrow. She goes by that & her luggage via Brisbane. Feel sore & stiff
11th. Sunday. Up early this morning. Went down to Shipping Office at 1/2-7. Conveyance
left at 8. Edie seems quite glad to go at last. She must have been very lonely here
for a whole month. poor girl. I rested all day. Ma & I went out at night to church.
Got Marsh's little boy to come all the way with me to-morrow. Must up early.
Poor Alf & Alice have sad hearts to-day. Looking at dear little Jack's photo makes
one's heart ache. No word from them. Don't know how they are.
12th. Monday. Up at 4 this morning. Went round to Nelson's & got the old man to
saddle Bob up. Ma walked with me to the Ferry. Waited there for my boy but saw
none. Then went over the ferry & found him on the other side waiting for me. We walked
nearly all the way up - got home little over 3 hrs. I was very sore indeed. Couldn't bear
the sight of a chair. Felt very tired & out of sorts too. Retiring early. Mr. Beasley's entert.
to-night but I stayed home. Trying to study for old Harrap on Thursday but can't.
13th. Tuesday. Still 'tis sad to have to sit down. Never thought I could feel so. Mr.
Ellison here for service to-night. I went not. No pleasure in sitting down. Wrote to Ma.
14th. Wednesday. Wrote to Mr. Harrap telling him I couldn't come out to-morrow. He
wants me there at 9.30. & that's impossible. Feel a weight off my mind now. We
three went up to Mrs. W's. after tea. They got news to-day that Mary Sterling - Mrs. White
was dead. Poor thing. A short & unsatisfactory married life. a martyr to Bright's disease
Her mother will feel it a lot : hereldest[sic] & she only one she has ever lost. In that far away
place too. it is sad to die so so far away. Miss Beatson told me she was 26 to-day -
older than I am & I'm sure I thought her 3 years younger.
15th Thursday. Another letter this afternoon from Bob G. He evidently takes things
in a seriously serious light. Wish he wouldn't. Anyway my conscience is clear. I did
nothing God knows to encourage him or implant any such ideas in his mind. I
thought what I used to say to him & the way I treated Him altogether was sufficient
to shock him but it seems it has done the opposite. Poor me - I am[underlined] in a dilemma.
Shall take the letter to Ma next time I go Home & ask her advice. I don't know
what to say to him. Suppose I should not have allowed him to write - & yet - if my
own wishes are not to granted me in the only way I care about - I might do worse - he is
a good fellow - I'm sure - but then - so much younger than I - Perhaps he'll get over
it but he seems too serious & in earnest over it to please me. Must pray over it
16th. Friday. School. Going home in the morn. Shall stay till Monday morning's
cane-train.
17th. Saturday. Went down by this morning's train. The dear little Mother
gladdened thereby. was gone up to see them at S.B. but felt not inclined. We
went down the city at night. Telegram from Art. He's leaving per Yaralla to-day
Will be here to-morrow sometime. Ma & I had good old yarn about my affair[underlined].
Showed her my first[underlined] letter. Not the 2nd. I feel rather worried over it all. Don't know
what to do .. She doesn't.
18th. Sunday. Church morning. Went to S.B. to see the folks there. Janet looks well.
Will went down & heard that steamer was not expected till 1/2-5. We went down afterwards for
Art. & we went home & waited. They came about 1/2-7. Art. looks very flushed & does not seem
like his old self. Poor chap. He is a tender-hearted creature. Thoughts of to-morrow weigh on my mind.