Item 14: Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1921

1921 JANUARY

6 Thu Nelson & Mr Medford went. I went to Dr Hutchison at 11. She gave me no encouragement. I came home & put in a terrible day. Sweet Phyllis went to a lecture & home about 8.30 Vida rang up.

7 Fri Dull wet day. I stayed in bed till 11.30. Phyllis went to see about Ethel in morning & in afternoon went to lectures. I finished 2nd Act of " Geese &Ganders."

8 Sat Lovely spring day. Walked as far as Barnes Shop and back & bought a blue flower for Mrs Carpenter. Vida came & had lunch with us

Mem [no entry]

JANUARY 1921

9 Sun Grey warm day. Phyl went to hear Dr Orchard in morning. In afternoon we went to call on Misses H. and Newcomb. Edith Coghlan & others also there. Home & read first draft of "Geese & Ganders" to Phyllis.

10 Mon [no entry]

11 Tues Went to office for a little while in afternoon Mr Rhodes & [Hulbard?] there

12 Wed Went to bank. Phil & I had lunch at Plane Tree & then to Womens Hospital where pathologist pricked arm & took my blood for test. Very wet at noon

1921 JANUARY

13 Thu Wet Went to office at 2.30. Mr Rowntree's secretary there. Morgan absent. Phyllis called for me at 5.30. Suffering from shock owing to pricked arm. Mr A. sent me home in a cab.

14 Fri Feeling sick & just getting to sleep when Ethel bounced in and tiraded about her grievances. What a marvellous ego in such a pale fish lustreless personality. Went to office at 3. Nelson came at night

15 Sat When I heard Ethel refuse to leave I nearly collapsed so N.P. & Mr A. between them decided for me & Phyll bought me home with her on 3.20. Met by Dad & got into feather nest. Very cold in train - no heat on

Mem Dr Whittingham pathologist at Women's Hospital South London Hospital for Women South Side, Clapham Common S.W. London

JANUARY 1921

16 Sun Wild day wind & rain. Stayed in all day such blissful rest & my sweet M. & P. caring for me & Mr Meggitt as dear as ever. Read "Margaret Ogilvie".

17 Mon Wild wet day so stayed in all day blissful rest.

18 Tues Wild day. Walked to bottom of hill & up again. Slept in feather nest during afternoon

19 Wed Same routine. Miss E. Evans came. Also Miss. E. Drew called. Read "Auld Licht Idylls"

1921 JANUARY

20 Th Lovely spring weather. Walked down hill with May & back by church. Monstrously weak. Read "Under the Greenwood Tree"

21 Fri Walked down hill back way with May & home by Batchelor Rd

22 Sat Rained in morning but cleared. Went into Newport with girls. Read "Wastralls" in afternoon. Felt a little better on waking up in morning. Ernest Jones came for supper

Mem [no entry]