Evie's War Read Online Free PDF Page B

German hands, which caused us no small amount of pride.
22 September
    Miss Bartlett has joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment. She made the announcement at tonight’s WSPU meeting inthe hope that her actions would spur others to do the same. I do admire her gumption, and wonder whether perhaps I might do more in support of the War Effort.
23 September
    More letters! The first from Lettie, who is much engaged in fundraising via Mrs Morrison’s penny flags, through sales of which substantial sums have been raised in support of both the local Regiment and Belgian Refugees. She encloses two flags that she proposes I wear on my lapel or else keep in an autograph book, as she does, alongside tokens from ‘Our Brave Soldiers’. My second letter is from Mr Lindsay, who gained our address via correspondence with Mr Wheatley. His letter is perfectly proper but leaves me with a sense that he is finding Oxford rather lonely. When Mother is feeling in a positive mood I shall place the matter before her and see whether we might invite him to visit. At the very least I shall write to reassure him that I do not in the least condemn his concern, as he seems fearful I might, for I should have done the same were the situation reversed.
24 September
    Miss Bartlett, who says I must call her Winifred, has asked whether I might provide personal tuition in First Aid in advance of her examination next week, which she is quite desperate to pass. Of course I agreed, and all is arranged for tomorrow.
26 September
    I am now fully apprised of the gulf that stands between Winifred’s family and mine. Although Father has ensuredwe are well provided for, all his efforts count for a mere drop compared to the wealth enjoyed by Lady Braybrooke. Her home — reminiscent of our New Zealand Houses of Parliament, though they are smaller and a good deal less grand — left me completely overawed, but Winifred, Miss Bartlett, was quite off-hand and told me I must treat the ‘old place’ as my own (which I could not possibly do). Lady Braybrooke was very gracious. I am to return on Monday to test Miss B on her memory of various types of bandaging.
Sunday 27 September
    Today’s Service was extremely moving. Two of the village’s young men have been killed at the Front and another wounded. We prayed for their families, who stood alone but surrounded by friends in the desperate hour of their grief. It has made the War very real.
28 September
    I have had a most entertaining day. WB had enlisted various maids to act the part of injured servicemen on whom she might practise bandaging, but as they were ill at ease with their young lady attending them in such a fashion, I finally suggested she bandage me instead. As a consequence I was festooned with a dozen or more wrappings when Lady Braybrooke summoned us to luncheon. Over our meal Lady B quizzed me regarding my education, family situation and life in New Zealand, concluding with a query about my plans for the duration of the War. I acquitted myself rather badly in answering this last, as I was somewhat at a loss. Winifred said later that I should be careful lest her aunt decides to make me ‘a project’. I have not the slightest idea what that might mean, but the interrogation has started me thinking.
30 September
    Aunt Marjorie has proposed a trip to London, ostensibly to acquire items essential for the well-being of the baby. I do hope Mother agrees to take me with them.
2 October
    Hooray! Edmund and I are to accompany Mother and Aunt Marjorie. We will travel by train and stay at an Hotel (there being no provision for family members, especially female ones, at my uncle’s Club), and I am assured there will be time for a little sight-seeing.
Sunday 4 October, London
    Attended Morning Service in St James’s — designed by Wren, rather grander inside than out, the vaulted ceiling and soaring voices in heavenly accord. By contrast the secular world feels much