Item 32: Miles Franklin pocket diary, 1939

JANUARY, 1939

Monday 23 Grey cool day. Kept on jump by Aunt Finished ironing and did household chores - meals & half meals. Miss B. visited nephew in afternoon. Figs ripening, spoiled by damp & despoiled by Silver eyes.

Tuesday 24 Aunt Lena came out to spend day. I made plum sauce & fig jam. Mrs Maddums [Maddams] called for afternoon tea & Mrs Fogden in evening.

JANUARY, 1939

Wednesday 25 Grey day. Very tired. Took care of Aunt. In evening attended Wells dinner at the Wentworth & home late. Jack in charge of Auntie reported that she kept him running

Thursday 26 Got Joyce Henry to come for Aunt & me & we had tea there & saw storm lashing trees. Joyce brought us home in rain. In evening I set out in rain for F.A.W. committee meeting at 17 Bond St

JANUARY, 1939

Friday 27 Cool grey day. Made more jam. Ruby Brydon came in afternoon & gave me a rest from Aunt's ceaseless babble.

Saturday 28 Cooked & cleaned. Very cool grey day. Norman came in evening

JANUARY, 1939

Sunday 29 Aunt had to be bathed. Uncle Fred came for dinner. Beryl Cochran & Ruby came as I was in middle of cooking very mixed meal. Aunt Lena came after dinner and Phyllis & Jack to take Aunt away. I was so tired I was sick. Miss B. went to nephew thank God.

Monday 30 Washed & ironed. Cleaned my room & Jack's & got meals & prepared for tomorrow to start the Furphy epic.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 1931

Tuesday 31 Started on Furphy biography. Got A. Stewart's letter with disclosures about K.B. Leonie & Joe - Not to mention them is making a meat pie without the meat, but they have to be kept secret.

Wednesday 1 Worked again on Joe going better - Miss Rossitter typist called.