Item 23: Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1930

JANUARY, 1930.

Monday 13 Arose early and washed. Made plum sauce and ½ ironing and went to office exhausted. Home by Miss Gillespie. After tea Norman and I went to May's. At night went out of my [form?] again as depicted in "[??]"

Tuesday 14 Went to office. Exhausted. Struggling to write articles but too exhausted. All my life's been wasted for lack of sleep. Why am I thus afflicted?

JANUARY, 1930.

Wednesday 15

Lena began to racket at 4 a.m T̶h̶e̶ ̶s̶w̶ ̶ Went in and saw "Journey's End" from Gallery of Criterion with Eva, Eliza etc. The swine next door kept me from sleep till 1.30p.m. Why can every brainless cow but myself go to sleep in similar conditions!!!

Thursday 16

So ill for want of sleep had to lie on stretcher in office till 10 p.m. Took no food - nerves in painful state.

JANUARY, 1930.

Friday 17 Ethel, Ruby & Arthur & Mary for dinner. Eliza called in evening.

Saturday 18 In afternoon went to office. Got back at 7 to find Uncle Gus and Ted Bridle just gone office. Eva came late.

JANUARY, 1930.

Sunday 19 Warm day. Uncle Gus came in morning. I cooked dinner as Aunt Lena and Mother at church. In evening went to office.

Monday 20 Aunt Liza came at night. Heard Teddie was lost.

JANUARY, 1930.

Tuesday 21 [2 words of shorthand crossed out] Went to office in morning. Got home to hear Teddie found by Norman and called home. Tried to hear King's speech in evening. didn't quite come through.

Wednesday 22 Dawned grey. Aunt Lena madly rushing, cooking and washing.