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when she got up there & he could telephone to me. Kind of Mr. C. to take that trouble 16th Saturday. Not much sleep last night with horrid cough. Davidson sent me another bottle of the medicine! I wanted the prescription! anyway it has done me a deal of good. Did odds & ends this morning. After dinner as I was washing my hair Kate came with a message from W. if I would like to go for a ride so I had to fly & dry my hair & get ready. We went right to the other corner of the plantation - the other side of Franklin's - end of the Cedars. It was a grand ride. I enjoyed it very much. It did me good too. He was very confidential. Don't suppose I'll ever go there again. not with him anyway ~ only wish he were my property. Mr. Castleton is here for tomorrow We all went over to Stirlings after tea & had music. Man brought a telephone message as I was there - tel. from Ma - she had arrived safely & all were well. Thank God. Now I can rest & look forward to her return. Happy day. 17th. Sunday. Church this morning. Arthur Wiles came up at church time - comes tosee M. They will be mad over the way after inviting him there & he not to come. We went for a stroll to the river & entertained him. I like him but he doesn't seem very stable[underlined] somehow. Home at night. I feel so well today - haven't felt like it for a long time - must be answer to little Mother's prayer. Mr. C. spoke very nicely on power of prayer this morning. Text Be not weary in well-doing (prayer, faith, hope, forgiveness) 18th. Monday. School. 19th. Tuesday. Mr & Mrs. Nott - Windermere came up this afternoon - We had to entertain them tonight. Miss Shirley came over & helped by singing. I felt queer again tonight - "out of it" somehow & I'd rather meet perfect strangers than these people who know me so patronisingly Heard little odds & ends about D. too. He evidently has bloomed into a "society" youth. He![underlined] who used to run down "society" so! Well - just as it is to be expected. He of course has been spoilt too by being made so much of by the girls there - who never was made anything of here it's enough to spoil anyone with a more straight head than he. 20th. Wednesday. Heard little about myself last night from the room next door ~ can't bear to be so talked about "I was a very quiet girl"~ Yes! to them. Got a shock to-day. M. at dinner asked Mr. G. if he knew Bob. G. had gone to Charleville!!! He amongst others were dispensed with at the "Telegraph" Office & as this billet had offered itself out there he took it & left last Friday - My poor boy. I'll never see him now : what will Xmas holidays be in B. without him ~ in another way tho' I'm glad he won't be there as H. will be sure to be knocking around all the time & the two might clash. But - he might as well be at the North Pole as there - My letter wouldn't get to him in time - unless they sent it on - he wouldn't get it - & then only today or so. Good thing this didn't come to me yesterday. Am going to pray still & hope - to meet him again & have my hopes realised. This will prove him - whether he truely cares for me or not - 21st. Thursday. Sent to Ivy to tell Miss M. Neway to get my dress finished but she wrote back saying Miss M. was ill with dengue & didn't know when she would do them ~ sent me oranges They had had a letter from Ma - she said she had written to me - but it ought to have come yesterday. Very cold today. Wrote to Ma on my own account 22nd. Friday. Another real cold day - showry wind too. Elsie & Mrs. G. went to town yesterday & May was at home sick so had quiet day. Letters tonight from dear little Mother & Jim S. they conforted me - Ma's was delayed. It was only half addressed. Winnie's birthday (5).

23rd. Saturday. Dreadfully windy & cold - all day. Astonishing how well I keep ~ very, very thankful. Had nice day to myself. M. Mr. G. & Kate went to town. Brought back Mr. McClennan - commercial traveller with them. We had a nice evening. Stirling's were over - I like him D. is coming up tomorrow with two boys. Wish he would stay away. 24th. Sunday. Didn't go to church - too cold . Had nice quiet time on the river bank ~ in the meantime D. & a boy came ~ on their bicycles - they went back again after 4 ~ wish he wouldn't come at all - it upsets me - It's a strain on me to appear "forgetful". Had walk out this afternoon with W. & Mr. M. C. he likes me I think & so M. said ~ am glad - I like him too. he's just the sort of man a girl can[underlined] talk too - went down to the river for another walk with Tom - have had enough exercise to-day 25th. Monday. Got a good bit of teasing to-day from Mr. G. about yesterday Says Mr. ML. was very much struck with me & was coming up again tomorrow - must be to see me - Told them it was all rubbish - but after all ~ it isn't he that's coming - a Mr. Maclean[underlined] - good enough - don't want to be a bothered with folks especially - when he's thrown at you 26th. Tuesday. Two Scotch gentlemen today for dinner. Had long talk with M. tonight about things in general. Elsie Halls concert tonight. Too cold even to think of it ~ go down & come back same night 27th. Wednesday. Mrs. J. G - laid up with influenza this week. The girls sick too. 28th. Thursday. Wrote to Ivy to send me some cotton by the girls tomorrow & more oranges 29th. Friday. Gave the girls my watch to take to town tomorrow - it's gone crank also to get my parcel from Marsh. Letter from Ma tonight. She's in Mt Morgan by this. Sent Phyllis photo too! Mrs. W. & Eric came up tonight with Mr. G. Heard astounding news Mr. McL. He took a barmaid to the concert the other night!!! he - whom we thought so faddy - I had an idea somehow that he wasn't so very particular as M. thought. Mrs. W. says the same. But I wouldn't have believed it from anyone else but her - she saw him - so! want not to see him[underlined] again. hope he'll stay away after that - 30th. Saturday. Have boys lessons ~ did books up - took me all morning - till 12 - then after dinner set sewing - quite busy day - went for walk to river bank but it was so cold. I couldn't stay - Mr. John laid up with influenza now - & Mrs. W. G. ~ do hope it keeps away from here tho' Mrs. G. has been sick with - it may be it - but hardly think so - Such numbers of deaths in town ~ Miss McN[...]'s mother died last week ~ glad & thankful little Mother is out of it - do hope the others will be kept from it - I won't go down for a long time anyway. Sent for 2[underlined] cheques yesterday & Mr. B. sent me only 1 ~ for Ray's quarter too. - up last week. It's no good to me unless I go to town. Alf W. coming up tonight - 31st. Sunday. Mr. Nightingale came with A. last night - when are we to be free from visitors on Sundays here I wonder. M. got a note from Arthur W. asked her to be sure & come to the hall next week - Mason's - & be his partner for the "Lancers" which I understand is a great honour - so Mrs. W. says - he's feeling his way I think - but Pa is going to forbid her going - thinks it too serious - I can't understand Mr. G. - here is a young man - as good as can be found of a worldly type - of good family too - & yet he objects - because there's no filthy lucre attached - never mind the character. Went to church this morning - heard a nice sermon from Mr. Butler - it did me good. They all went home after tea this evening.

1st. Aug. Monday. Wrote to Ma. 2nd. Tuesday. Kanie G. Didn't come home for dinner 3rd. Wednesday. M. went down to the Masonic Ball tonight 4th. Thursday. M. was telling me all about the affair last night ~ she makes a great confidant of me. Fannie G. was belle or thought she was. Astonishing how much people can make of themselves 5th. Friday. Busy day. Mr. Rannie was here for tea. Mr. & Mrs. G. went to Watana this afternoon. 6th. Saturday. Busy all morning at lessons &c. Went for walk this afternoon to the Library with M. stopped at Stirling's & had tea. A. W. was going to come up tonight but Mr. McGair who met with an accident last Sunday was chasing a fowl when he fell on a stick which entered the intestines & so caused his death. 7th. Sunday. Stayed home this morning. My shirt didn't come so I didn't want to be remarked upon again. Had quiet time to myself. Mr. Ellison came up this morning to preach & stayed for night too. I went out & played. Miss Stirling was to sing "Crossing the Bar" but I chose Rest in the Lord. She didn't sing at all because she hadn't another copy. The organ was funny & I don't like the other accompt. 8th. Monday. Mr. E. here today ~ also Mr. Dinning & Castleton - so we had 3 ministers - Went out to Home Mission meeting. Miss S. & Amy. M. slept with me tonight 9th. Tuesday. They went home - our 3 parsons - Mr. E. & Mr. C. don't hit a little bit. It's fun to hear them go for one another. 10th. Wednesday. Wrote to H. tonight. No letter from Ma. & still none from B. If he doesn't write this week I'll think no more of him. that will be settled - quite - Am almost inclined to disbelieve in prayer - but still should not say that - What He[underlined] wills is best. Had some more talk with M. She says she tells me more than anyone ~ we understand each other much better than we used 11th. Thursday. Wrote to Jim S. Do wish I could stop this eternal thinking. It's dreadful. I think as I read that continuous hope gives way to feverish anxieties. It's true. Seem to have lost trust somehow. How different I am from the girl of a year ago even ~ but 2 ago especially. Wish I were settled I'll never be any better as long as I'm single. H. will have to do - failing any other 12th. Friday. TM. went to town & brought up young Eric. Mrs. G. & Mrs W. have gone to Pialba for a few days. Had bit of shindy tonight. Tom & Elsie behaved just like two pigs at the table - I spoke 2 or 3 times & at last said If you don't stop or go outside till you behave I'll[underlined] go & tell Mr. G. when he comes home. They went on worse than ever. I went & finished my tea in my own room. Tom didn't apologise (he was going on with rude things & making Elsie too) so while he was away for the mail I told Mr. G. I was sorry after - he was very angry & asked for a riding whip (which they wouldn't get him) I begged of him not to punish him but to give him a good talking to. but he was firm - said he needed to be put into his proper place. so - when T. came & I got my letters (one from Ma - another from Ivy. - I scooted & came out no more - I could hear the whacks - Tom cried too. I felt sorry but what could I do after promising. Tom never will forgive me I'm sure he never thought I could tell on him.

But it will do him good. it had to be sooner or later. Dear little Mammy. she is well & gives a good account of them all. Says Bub is a splendid child. another Jack - I thought so. I've got much to be thankful for too for their happiness. Jim deserved it all. 13th. Saturday. Tom had to apologise today at dinner. He vows vengance on me. Guess he won't love me after this. M G. thinks with me it will do him good. Says it's the first time he ever touched him. I feel horrible about it tho'. Must do my best to get round him to be friends again. Asked him tonight in the kitchen would he be friends with me. He fast said "No" but I don't think he meant it ~ he didn't shake me off when I laid my hand on his shoulder. heard him whistling after & he came into the drawing room too. Arthur Wales. Alf W. & Jack Wishart came up tonight about 9. the latter is not the sort I thought he would be "D" me baise Il ne m'a pas oublie encore. 14th. Sunday. Got my skirt this way & went to church this morning. A. W. came too. Went walking up to the house after dinner. I came on home & read. till M. came from school - then we yarned on the side verandah. J. W. was mad because M. took more notice of Arthur W. than him. Said he wouldn't come to Bingera again &c. &c. She coaxed him over before going & made him promise he would come up & stay when he left the Dredge or come next Saturday. He's a great boy for kissing they say - he's rather good-looking. They went back this evening [...] Sent my poetry Seaside Thoughts 15th. Monday. Wrote to Ma & to Ivy to expect me in on Thursday to hear Mrs. Lee. 16th. Tuesday. Dr. Sugden & Mr. Caulfield here tonight we entertained them Amy S. came over & sang. 17th. Wednesday. M. teases me about Arthur W. He wrote saying he hoped to see [...] & Miss P. she said - she'd tell him what Ma said viz she hoped M. was good enough for A. W. 18th. Thursday. Got off at 20-3 this afternoon to hear Mrs. Lee as Mr. G. drove M. Annie S. & I down with little Eric. Didn't think we'd get in so early It threatend rain but as it was only 10 past 5. I went up to Will's & had tea. He was home. Dear old chap. They are all well so far. Saw Grace too. Joe was in bed - she is getting her teeth done. - good thing too. Will Ivy & I went to hear Mrs. Lee. She is as good as ever only better improved I think - has travelled since last time. M. saw Arthur W. was very disappointed because I didn't sit with them. Pooh! Think I offended him by inviting him to sign the pledge He came with us as far as the Ferry - we had to go over in a boat - the punt was off after 9 - Jack. W was there. - he came as far as the corner with Mr. & Mrs. W. M. & I sat in the back coming home & had a good old yarn ~ I like her better now I know more of her & I think she does me too - says she tells me things she doesn't anyone else - don't know - saw Mrs. W. says she must have led J. W. on in New T. he seems so mad over her not taking any notice of him now & going with the other chap - she says she never did. he's got silly notions - he must be a real faithful sort anyway - she doesn't appreciate him. 19th. Friday. Tired today. Didn't come down for dinner - Dave informed M. last night that Mr. Whish - his 2 sisters & the Pearse girls were coming up today & to be kind to Muriel (the elder) as she was "his girl" - I must get used to the sound of that - it seems queer - however M. was a bit mad as they were coming without even letting them know - I came not down didn't want to be quizzed by them especially as I didn't like Whish. Mr. G. asked me to night if I thought there wouldn't be room at the table didn't care what they thought - heard all about the visitors - they think the girl very like. Mrs. G. & also think that she is gone on D. - whether he's gone on her is a different matter or Minnie Workman was here when we got home last night - she stays till next week & teaches us smocking. They went to practice & in the meantime Jack Wishart popped in - he stays till Sunday I suppose.

20th. Saturday. Busy this morning. They had arranged to drive to Kolanne Station with Sam & Kate & I to ride but Mrs. John wanted S. so we heard at dinner after my getting all ready - washing my hair & dressing up for riding. There was noone else to drive us - Jack couldn't so K. & I had to content ourselves with a ride alone. We went down to Sharon gates - back & took shelter from a heavy shower of rain with Mrs. John G. who was camped opposite Kalbar. Then as it was early - a little after 4 - we thought we'd ride to Kolan. Mr. Muller picked us up at Gobby's gate & I had the pleasure of his company as far as the Schunpel's (where he was going). I quite enjoyed it he told me all about his trip North - told us he would pick us up but after riding to the Cemetery we thought it late & cold enough to come home. Got home at 1/4 to 6. It was about the longest afternoon I ever spent. We must have ridden 16 miles J. W. is a big silly. He went on with M. this afternoon until I felt quite out of patience with him - she doesn't want to be bothered with him. I liked him a bit - now don't. Dave was home when we got here. We had a sing-song at night. J says he doesn't like dark girls. 21st. Sunday. Church this morning. Minnie & I entertained the boys till they went - after 3 - with Castleton - Very glad I could treat D. so nicely. I felt more at home with him this time than I've ever done since that time. Asked him about his girl &c. - he seemed to be on more ease with me too. Very glad. Just as it ought be. J. & I hit it better today too. I teased him plenty. He stole Mim's photo & wanted one of mine - but I put him off. Don't want to waste one over him - especially as he said he disliked dark girls. He wanted me to call him "Jack" all day too & I persisted in saying "Mr." Went to church tonight & played. Annie Stirling sang "Calvary". 22nd. Monday. The girls 6 of them went down this morning. Church Social tonight in the "Theatre". 23rd. Tuesday. J was there last night after saying he wouldn't be. Min has asked him to Sharon. He won't trouble Bingera much after this. They will fuss over him there to his heart's content. Min can go in for him. She likes him all right. We had our fortune's told tonight & Sat. afternoon. Both times I'm to marry H. & within 2 years. Believe it'll be that too 24th. Wednesday. Hansen's over tonight - we had music &c. Started my smocking on flannelette. 25th. Thursday. Off early this afternoon & got to my work. M. is going tomorrow. I shocked her this evening I think. She had been reading Mrs. Lees book & she didn't like it. I was sticking up for it & seeing she was shocked I said still more - she'll think I'm terrible ~ don't care. I didn't think she was that - she would be slave for a man - she was horrified when I said I'd write & ask my future husband to let me have my way after. We went over to the Hall to first practice of Columbia's Conclave that Mr. Eales is getting up. They wanted Mr. Tom to be Columbia & Tom President again but she has refused - she mustn't be excited. After a great confab tonight they settled on Jean S. I have to get up all the music It will be a great nuisance - don't know where I'll get the airs - the band played them all before. Must ask Mr. Marsh on Saturday. Mr. Holland was there to practise his song for next Wednesday's Social. 26th. Friday. M. went home this morning. She asked Kate & I to come down some Saturday & stay till Sunday. Think I'll go next Sat. fortnight. In the "Star" last night was the death of Daisy Skyring [?sked] 13yrs 10mths. Poor little Daisy. She the strongest & best looking of the