Malinda K. Miller Diary

72 and my pen) still. Took a bath & went to bed after reading "Asolea" awhile after dinner.

March 13, 1922 – Monday Mon. is always a busy day. Should have gone to the p.o. & mailed mine & Miss Davis' reports home, but felt too badly to do so. the big scab came off behind my ear, but I've got a sore lip & had to paint my left tonsil (on the outside) with iodine again. A Mr. & Mrs. Watts, from Carmel Calif., the former an artist, & a Miss Watson, English, arrived from Prome for chota; Mr. Lewis came later. Miss G. treated to soda in class this p.m., but Miss S. sent out for ice; these, plus Miss T. played tennis this p.m. I got out my green dress, beadbag, gold & pearl jewelry & went by for Mrs. P. at 5; she had forgotten [forgotten] about my coming – so I found out later – & had had tea at home – We went to the club, however, and had another (for her); I always eat like a pig when I get away from the G.H. as there is such a sameness here. We watched the dancing for awhile, leaving shortly before seven. Mr. L. brought down some strawberries from M. for Miss Peterson, who kindly divided with the rest of us. At breakfast Mr. & Mrs. W. were not present [present], so as no one else seemed inclined, I introduced [introduced] Miss W. around. Misses T. & Peter were out for dinner. Mr. L. writing on his typewriter till about ten. The 3 newcomers & I talked together out on the porch for awhile, Miss W. leaving rather early, as she has been ill; the others telling me of some of their experiences in India, especially [especially] the Durbar at Delhi when many of the rajahs [rajahs] were present loaded with jewels. Read some in Asolea this a.m. & then took a nap at noon. Mr.

73 M. has promised to show me some of his sketches. That disgusting Indian festival is being celebrated today.

March 14, 1922 – Tuesday A little cooler today than it has been for sometime. I went to the deaf school for breakfast; we had cheese on toast, a cucumber, and other things that I like, including chicken mulagatawny – and I ate two dishes, whereas usually I don't care for soup. Mrs Cummings and twins arrived early this a.m.; I couldn't place her at first, & no one introduced us, but the twins finally solved the problem. Mr. M showed me his sketches this aft.; they took a drive in the park & around the lakes later. Miss Peterson visited me a little while in the p.m. Then I went over to wish Miss S. a happy birthday. After dinner I bathed, washed 3 hand. & 2pr hose, the wht. silk ones will have to be darned tomorrow. Some got home mail this eve, but I did not; some of it was burned in its journey across India; I have not seen the papers, so do not know the details. Read "Asoka." Went thru the consonant chart at the deaf school; will go again Fri, & drill on the vowels. They sent me home in a gharry as they knew I was not quite up to the scratch. Miss Peter has been away all day. Got a letter from Ida Davis. Set out clean clothes for tomorrow; suppose the dhoby will appear some time during the day. Miss C. gave me a note, also a cordial invitation to make that headquarters when in town. Mr Ak Son talked to me for about half an hr. after class, giving me some fatherly advice about Prome. I heard Mr. Roach had had a hemo rage [hemorage], but hope it is not true. Told the Ms how to

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get to see the elephants in the teak yard near here down by the river

March 15, 1922 – Wednesday Got about a dozen letters at noon – on my way to class, so didn't leave time to read them till tea, which I had all alone. Only one I. J. again this wk. The dhoby hasn't come yet. Finished "Asoka" at last; seems to me I've been a long time on a short book. Did not sit out any today as I've been jobbing in my room & nothing to show for it either. Intended going to town, but too busy. Took a long nap at noon, about an hr, as I did not sleep well last night; consequently was not sleepy tonight. Got out an old outing gown and tore cuts strips and made into pads. Mrs C, twins, & Miss P. left for Kalaw today. The Saffords, who sail Friday for Madras on the same boat with Miss Watson, have been here off and on for meals these last few days. We've had melon for breakfast every day for nearly a fortnight now; it is refereshing with cracked ice, but one tires of the same thing so often. Haven't had oranges much lately, but I believe this is not the best season for them. Had lovely little ones from Calcutta at the deaf school yes. Heard later that Mrs. McGuire of Insein and Miss Hastings from the press also left for K. today.

March 16, 1922 – Thursday Mrs. A has returned from Moulmein, and Miss B. Saris [Saris] has arrived from Prome – both in time for chota [chota] this a.m. Got a notice from the G. P. O. to come claim a damaged parcel, so on going down found my long-delayed box of Reymer's candy had arrived; the duty was so high, however, that I didn't have enough to pay for it (R 7/12) so will have to go back tomorrow; it was after five by the time, I came to this part of the deal so I knew I couldn't get in the press. On the strength of this I decided to give a "tea", so called up all I could by phone this eve, writing notes to 9 others, and several [several] I'll see tomorrow. Had a long talk with Miss D. about the school, and conditions at P. generally, after breakfast. What she and Mr. Ah, S. had to say are diametrically [diametrically] opposite; I wonder how much the latter really knows, especially about the head teacher, a sister of Ma Saw Sa. Of course, as someone has said, there are three sides to every question – my my side, your side, and the right side, which is somewhere [somewhere] between. I asked that she get rid of the first standard teacher as she is a Buddhist, and employ a Christian in her stead. Mr. Roach has said he wished we could be rid of the head teacher also; thus she must be a trouble maker, or he wouldn't have gone so far as to say this to me when he is not intimately concerned with the school work. Am paying up all my "social" obligations, so have asked about 40; several are out of town, I know.

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and others can't come, so if half arrive I'll be surprised agreeably [agreeably]

March 17, 1922 – Friday Stopped by Mrs. Pattle's & Mrs. Grove's on my way to the deaf school; the farmer had a previous engagement, while the latter will come, this includes [includes] their respective husbands. Lectured on the vowel [vowel] chart, after a breakfast of cucumbers, cheese, etc. Left early – after leaving my signature – & went to town by train; took a rickshaw at the station, stopping first at the English bakery where I ordered [ordered] 4 lb. of the fruit cake, 3 lbs. of the Italian [?], half white & 1/4 choc. & pink; & 3 doz. sausage rolls. to be sent out tomorrow c.o.d.; then to Whiteaways to get the white darning cotton for Miss D.; they did not have balls, only cards; thence to the press where I drew R 50 & bought 4 dozen postcards, 4 Shwe Dagon booklets, 2 Johns, 2 notebook refills, etc. Next to the p.o. for my candy; then to De Souza's for prints & films for both Miss D. & myself Had other chats with Miss D. both aft. & eve. Mr. & Mrs. Conrad from Bassein are here – arrived this a. m., but I did not get to see them till in the p. m., dinnertime. Gave J. money for the cakes, & R. 4 for the incidentals he will have to buy – sugar, limes, milk, charcoal, ice, peanuts, flowers, etc. By the time I'd paid for all these various things I find I won't have money enough to pay ing [paying] board, so I'll have to go down again tomorrow & I've only got R. 40 &, so I'll take my $20. Amer ican [American] & get exchanged, as this will give me R. 79 about for traveling expenses to M. & K. without

77 overdrawing – I hope.

March 18, 1922 – Saturday This has been a busy day. Had notes & phone messages from several people accepting or regretting my "kind" invitation. Mr Phinney told me the bishop had called up to know if I was "Miss" or "Mrs." etc; I think I can guess his wants, but have heard nothing from him yet. Got 1/2 lb. of tea at Barnett's at Miss D's suggestion [suggestion], as she says J's brand is attrocious; called at Rowe's about cotton & glasses; & D's about the latter also. Told J. to get a doz new ones, as several have been broken (& I didn't want to borrow), which he did. Was late for class; Miss T. not present; as she hadn't said, asked Miss G. if she was coming; invited [invited] Saya, his wife, daughter & son-in-law to tea for Mon. p.m.; will also ask the teachers from the deaf school. After class hurried around & got flowers, dishes, spoons (all of these had to be washed, etc), table, candy & everything ready; then put away clothes, which were brought in this a.m.; washed hand. & hose; whitened both pr. slippers; got out jewelry, bag, etc, from big trunk, & lunch cloth, napkins etc, from steamer. More last minute phone calls, Miss D. & darning needle & dental floss for stringing her beads; she has a lovely pink organdy which she wore. I donned my green flax one which is simple but delightfully cool looking. Had child's bed moved in off porch, stairs swept, chairs dusted, etc, furnishing a rag for the latter process. Dr. Cummings & Mr. Darrow here; also Miss Adams, while the Conrads

78 all from out of town, were the first to arrive; the two boys next.

March 19, 1922 – Sunday The American consul, Mr. Moffitt, the Howards & Miss G. were the latest. Dr. McG. came – about a score or more, altogether; the limeade did not give out this time; Miss Chapman poured; Mrs. G. and I slept till seven this a.m., so by the time I dressed & got chota it was too late to go to S.S. Mrs. Elliott came from Mandalay this morn. but left after breakfast for Insein [Insein] to be with the Craigs till tomorrow. I took a nap after breakfast. Wrote some cards later. Miss Adams started with me to ch. at Immanuel at 5:30; we met Misses Southerland & Geis at the car line as they had gotten off here to go with us. Three Chinese were baptised at service including one woman Mr. Howard preached about Johnathan, the "Gift of God", a very good sermon. I asked Mrs. Miner if her husband forgot to deliver the message for tea, about which there seems to be a difference of opinion. She invited me to meet the Parishes Wed. aft., which I accepted. Miss Davis, Miss A. Mr D. & Mr A. were in and out after dinner, which is always late on Sun. eve. The first and I had quite a chat about school matters again this eve – and several briefer ones between; she also showed me a number of her purchases. I'll have a lot of tea left over – I bought half a pound – so I'll donate it to Miss D. The Womens Com. meets Tues. a.m.; wonder what they'll do to me! This is their last meeting – & I'm not sorry. The Ref. Com. meets Wed. & they are the ones that have the real say so after all. The property com. also meets but I'm not quite sure of the date. Saw the Conrads at

79 March 20, 1922 – Monday Another busy day; in lang. school 5 hrs to begin with; Mr. Ah Sou left half an hr. early this a.m. so to make up for it he came at 1:30 this p.m. Miss Teal invited me to dinner with the Conrads & Duffs for Tues; I could have laughed in her face – but exhibited [exhibited] wonderful self-control! That was in the a.m.& in the p.m. She told me the date had been changed on account of Mission prayer meeting, so this knocks me out – too bad all the invitations came at once; this is my fourth for Wed; I'll manage to take in three of them, however. At noon I was busy writing cards & getting things ready for tea this aft. After school I had to bustle in real earnest, put on my green gown – same as Sat, & the refreshments [refreshments] were the same, too; put out lunch cloth, fix flowers, cut cake, get out candy & nuts, tea, sugar, dishes, etc. Mr. & Mrs. Ah Sou, Mr & Mrs. [?] Si & small son Robert, Ma Neyu, Ma Aye Nein, Ma Sein Iba, Mrs. Elliott, Messrs Dudley & Darrow & Miss Davis joined us; Dr. Kelly took a glass of limeade, they stayed till nearly six, but really did not eat much. The girls from the deaf school were in their guide uniforms [uniforms]. Last eve sat out on the porch with Mrs E. & Mr D; Mr A was with us a part of the time. Did not get any of my letters ready for the overseas mail; too bad; have several books, papers, etc, to send also, which means that I'll have to take a trip to the substation to get them weighed. Think I'll have to go to town tomorrow aft. Miss D. left tonight. She came back for my clothes after 6 –

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Mission prayer meeting held at Hatterslays – both of whom are away – led by Mr. Currie – who was relating his camp experiences at [?] near [?]

March 21, 1922 – Tuesday Miss Pound from Bastein arrived this a.m. about 6:30 before I was up; she has plenty of baggage and proceeded to make herself very much at home. Later Mrs. E's things were moved in also, the room she had been occupying being turned over to some of the men who are for reference com. The Woman's com. was in session today; Mrs Henderson [Henderson], who took Mrs. St. John's place on it, arrived [arrived] Sun. a.m. but has been out with Mrs. Cowasjee [Cowasjee]; she is plumper & younger looking than her twin sister. Mrs E. takes Miss Remington's place. Mrs H. acted as the go-between for the Com. & me; I told her frankly that I preferred Prome to Mandalay when she talked to me after breakfast [breakfast]. (If sent to the former place I've already made up my mind to have a house party Christmas [Christmas]; something has to be done to promote the joy of living.) I had about a hundred things to do today, but as Misses Southerland and Hunt also stayed for breakfast after their morn. session, & were in and out of my room, as well as Miss P. & Mrs E., with various interviews [interviews], Miss Bonny & P. coming over to see Miss Pound about going up country, etc., that I did not get anything done, except straightened my mistake about dates in this book; the 29th of February was the cause of the whole matter I'll have to let it go now till the 31st of March practically wasted aft. Mrs. E. moved into the next room, as it was still unoccupied, but Miss P. refused to budge.

March 22, 1922 – Wednesday Both the property & the W's. Comms were in session yes. – the former being held at the press. I got Mrs. Cummings letter about the change of houses as Miss Tell has had charge of this matter I took the letter over to her. Miss B. went at once to town to Mr. Phinney, and they both then went to Mr. C., but he seemed to know very little, as his wife has been attending to it, but he's to let us know today. A hundred rupees a month saved on the rent is not to be sneezed at. I went to tea for the Hacketts at Mrs. Miner's this p.m; & while I was gone Mrs. E. came up to take me before the Com., so she told me later; if they had really wanted me [wanted], or planned for it, however, it could have been managed o.k. – I wore my green again. This eve I wore my pink crepe de chine, but was sorry later, for Mrs Gore had on rose silk which made mine look faded. She sent for me at 8 but it must have been at least an hour before [before] dinner was served; Mr & Mrs Smith were present, but not Mr. G. Dr Osborn arrived later & we started immediately for the hall, only to arrive & find it in darkness; some of the girls were sick was the excuse; struck, most likely, were some of the pessimistic remarks. However, not to be outdone we went on to see the "Optimistics", the Chinese jugglers being the best of it according to my notion. Got home after 12 as you always do from these late performances. Mr G is [page damaged] [up side of page] the Dr. a fine white muffler