Evie's War Read Online Free PDF Page A

Zealand at once, but — to my relief — Mother is reluctant to travel in her condition. I should certainly not wish to sail back around the world having seen so little of Europe, which, alongside visiting Aunt Marjorie and Father’s obligations regarding his father’s estate, is our chief purpose in coming all this way.
25 August
    Having done First Aid at School last year, I acquitted myself favourably at the St John’s Course organised by Lady Braybrooke, afterwards accompanying Miss Bartlett to her WSPU meeting. The women were all of one mind: namely, that their focus must, in the interim, be on supporting Our Men at the Front. All efforts are to be put into fundraising for a Mobile Hospital Unit, and to helping in any other practical way. It was suggested by the evening’s speaker, the Honourable Evelina Haverfield, that our combined efforts will not only be of immeasurable value, but in the long term will work in aid of obtaining Women’s Suffrage by demonstrating women’s value outside the domestic sphere. It is the first time I have attended such a meetingand I confess I found it somewhat jingoistic, though I do not doubt the worthiness of the cause.
27 August
    Uncle Aubrey is to join the War Office, which will oblige him to move to London for the duration. As a consequence he has requested of Father that we remain at Deans Park, both to look after his interests and to keep my aunt company. He is confident the War will be over before Christmas, and that we might then decide whether we proceed directly with a more limited Tour or wait until the following summer. I hope delay is possible, as I should not like to miss anything by rushing.
28 August
    Sybil and Isabel Morecombe came to tea, during which the vigour of their inquisition suggested they have developed more than a passing interest in Edmund. Mother described their questions as a ‘favourable sign’ and instructed me ‘not to do anything which might damage my brother’s chances’, so she clearly sees Catmere as a desirable match. I wonder whether Edmund is to have any say in the matter?
Sunday 30 August
    Eugenie wildly upset, having newly been told of her father’s imminent departure. Millicent more composed but looks pale. I feel guilty for neglecting them.
1 September
    Attended my second, and somewhat heated, WSPU meeting. Some members wish to form a local branch of theWomen’s Emergency Corps, for which Mrs Haverfield is Patron, while others feel that organisation’s insistence on uniforms is an unnecessary expense when no more would be achieved through wearing them than not. I confessed to Miss Bartlett that I thought it all rather trivial, to which she replied that in the event of a German invasion, it might seem less so. At the time I conceded meekly, though as I write I find that I can’t, in that horrid circumstance, see how uniforms would make the slightest difference either way.
    There was a depressing article in yesterday’s newspaper, which I did not read till this evening, about British losses. Despite the best efforts of both British and French Armies, Paris itself seems at risk.
3 September
    I am the cause of further furore: a peaceful afternoon picnic was spoiled when Monty fell into the river. Of course I plunged in after — really, the water was only waist deep. But all present were surprised to learn that I was perfectly able to swim (this apparently being a skill rather more commonly acquired in New Zealand). Eugenie promptly asked if I might teach her, which made Monty demand a similar favour. I am glad there is one thing my cousins have found to admire in my Colonial upbringing!
4 September
    Edmund and I are to attend a party at Catmere to celebrate Sybil’s eighteenth birthday. Aunt Marjorie says my dresses are out of date, and has proposed a trip to her dressmaker in Saffron to arrange ‘something more suitable’.
Sunday 6 September
    Mother feeling