33412-0001-0075

who I thought would meet me this afternoon & all about him - We left after dinner
for home. Had the nuns for company home - guess they know who we 2 were -
At Colton H. popped out of the train & horrors - il me baisa - felt vexed - he
looked so shabby too & thin - I felt ashamed of him - however made the best
of him - he came in with me - Couldn't stop at the station - saw no-one
there ~ suppose my letter hadn't gone - Got a cab & came on home - Don't
know how D. will take H's intrusion - Well I told him beforehand - but
he's terribly touchy - anyway we acted as a very sensible pair I'm sure - poor old
H - he evidently thinks the same of me as ever - had his cousin with him.
They didn't expect me home - my letter hadn't arrived -
23rd Thursday. Feel bit off today. Went down town & got things for children
at Youngs' & Blaikie's.
24th. Friday. Feel all[underlined] off today. Xmas Eve. Ma & I went down to
Skyring's to see Eunine. We stayed for tea, saw them all & 'Arry - he looks well
not a bad sort. If I had only half a show I'd go in for him. We had
music after tea & then H. drove us home in the buggy. Eunine cane with us
& went into Reuss's. I thought the horse would have backed us into the gutter.
Saw W. G. & the Stirling girls & Maggie &c. - didn't see a sight of Dave, suppose
they hadn't come into town then ~ thought it best not to poke round
town so we drove straight home at 1/2-7. feel better than roaming & perhaps
had I seen anyone couldn't have spoken - best not to see him[underlined] too
25th. Xmas Day. Saturday. Strange Xmas. No home. Had our dinner
& tea at Grace's - felt intensely miserable all day. Must shake this off
it won't do. Suppose I'll come to my senses directly - seemed to have lost
them - 'Maladie de l'amour' sure enough - Garçon, garçon vous savez
que peu que vous m'avez fait taut de mal. Que que puis folle; but
I always enjoy any one's company intensely & miss it just as much. One can't
play with the fire & not be burnt. We had not such a bad day - played
cricket all afternoon : they all think me terribly sunburnt & think I
look 'triste.'
26th. Sunday. Church twice - played both times - Herbert's birthday
(33rd.) Dieu le blesse ~ mon cher ami ~ que d'amis j'aurai pour pries
Je tente d'oublier tout mais qu'il est dure et difficile.
27th. Monday. Boxing Day. Threatened rain. What a nice time I might
have had today at Bingera but how all the folks would stare to see
me there - they'd wonder what on earth brought me[underlined]. Home all day. Am
trying d'oblier. Have no right to do otherwise. Joe went off tonight
by Gladstone train for Mt. Morgan. Poor old chap. Hope he'll be
successful. God go with him. Mrs. Mellor offered us her house at the
coast for a week. from tomorrow till Wednesday next. Good! that
will be much better than hotel.
28th. Tuesday. Down town this morning fixing things up. Got
ready after dinner & started for Burnett Heads. after 3. Finished
Edie's bonnet almost before I went. Pretty it is! sent it & the 3 pairs bootees
Ivy came with us. Mrs. Marshall & family were there when we got down
& went back by our buggy. Got settled [...] everything seems handy &
comfortable. Lovely & quiet. Glad to be at the sea again. This day week[3 underlined]
to bathe. What a bother ~ came here on purpose too ~ Ma & Ivy went
in twice. Amused ourselves all day.
30th. Thursday. Horrid night ~ just like one of Watana nights only worse
Sick as I could be this morning. Wonder is this to be the usual now