Malinda K Miller diary

50

would do so. About five p.m. we two left the meet. & went to tennis tea at the Miners; Miss H. had called us up earlier in the day to remind us of it. Miss Ivins from [?], and Mr. Kingsley, whom I met at the Wiatt dinner, were there, as well as Mrs. Safford & Mrs [name missing]. I did not play, but managed to upset some of my tea in my lap; the sandwiches & chocolate cake were very good.

February 19, 1922 - Sunday

Miss D. taught a girls' S.S. class at the college for Mrs. [?tuph] + remained there for morning service; I did not go out; had just gotten up from breakfast when Dr. K. came I wasn't expecting her; Dr. Cotte [?], the Canadian French woman I met at the reception Mon eve. was with her, but went into see Mrs. Rose for a few moments. I haven't been running a fever, but a subnormal temperature--the same as when I had that dreadful cold, or the flu, last fall soon after my arrival. Bathed + dressed in white in the aft., smeared butter on my yellow gingham at teatime, hoping that will take out the axle grease; then went with Miss D. for a brief walk around the compound, before we left together with Mrs. Mosier for the English Bap ch. with Dr. Kelly in his car. The Thomases arrived early this a.m. from Henzada, so we five had a late dinner together; then to bed. Miss D. writing letters again.

51

Read on the 2nd vol. of "The Burman" most of yes. but still lacked about 100pp of finishing.

February 20, 1922 - Monday

We had a holiday this aft. as Mr Ali Sou had some business to attend to; I was glad, for I had a lot of things to do, though I did not feel like exerting myself. Basted the white collars + cuffs back on to my yellow gingham while Miss D read Burmese to me. Mrs. Mosier came in awhile, and later Miss Seagrave while we were out on the front porch and our room was being mopped for the first time since we've been here, over three weeks. The latter had not left, when two Burmese girls came to see Miss D.; we were all just about to start for a walk when Ma Seine Tha, China and Ba Khay appeared, bringing a note from Miss C. enclosing seven rupees for the Mandalay trip; as this had to be acknowledged, I didn't go for the walk as I didn't want to keep the others waiting. Gave them all some of the candied pumpkin. Finished "The Burman" + after dinner directed some postcards--over a dozen and otherwise got things ready for letter writing when I can find the time. Took a belated bath, read a little in "The Literary Digest" and retired about 10 p.m. Miss D writing on her machine again. Inquired about song books; wrote to Miss Adams as she and Miss Peter want to join us at Kelaw. Miss S. brought the news that Miss Johnson wishes to do likewise. Several out of town people arrive tomorrow so we'll soon have a full house again.

[Left hand page number] 60 March 1, 1922 - Wednesday

Miss Seagrave gave us four girls 2 [papyias?] this aft; Miss D & I had ours for "tea"; Mon. she gave us a lovely looking kind of yellow plum - but they were sour enough to make a pig squeel, while the rather tough skin tasted "fishy". She's only in I. school a little this week as oral E. tests have begun in the Karen school which she supervises. Mr. A. arrived from America today. but the less said of him the better; I met him at Des M. but he evidently doesn't remember it, & far be it from me to recall the trivial incident. Dr. Kelly took Miss D., Miss Peterson and me for a drive this aft., following a call he made on a Chinese Baptist teacher for Mandalay; we went as far south as Monkey Pt; an erstwhile military station, now the chief wireless along the coast; returning we stopped near the spot where the prince embarked & watched the steamers anchored there, as well as the many sampans and other small craft skimming about; going on we investigated the shipping farther upstream, much of the activity of the waterfront being hidden behind the large warehouses , or godowns, that line the way. The most interesting ride I've had in this hot land. I received my first Burmese letter - merely a note from Mrs. Lotta returning a handkerchief I left behind at Zigon, one of the native girls had given me Christmas. After dinner Miss P. invited us over to hear her new victrola which we [enjoyed?] very much. She has some

[Right hand page number] 61 some lovely records; over a dozen of the Karen girls were in also. March 2, 1922 - Thursday We were invited out to Mr. Ali San's to tea this p.m.; Mrs. W., Mrs. R. & Miss Teel beat us to the station here, Miss G. joining us at Kemendine; arrived at Kamayut the last two rode up in a bullock cart, as Miss G. had a sore toe. Returning the came the same way - & came near getting left, but Mrs. R. bought their tickets & Mr. Ali S. shooed them on, so they made it on the run. We had tea - of which I did not partake - and some drink that I am doubtful as to its origin; it may have been baal fruit, orange juice, a mixture of the two, or neither! Then there was [shway?] rice, something like the sticky rice we had there before Christmas; also some of the same kind of amber colored seaweed jelly; rice cakes, some pink concoction made in layers - lovely to look at, but rather insipid as to flavor - and candied pumpkin. Our host gave Mrs. R. a dark blue silk piece painted with a gorgeous Chinese dragon, mainly yellow, but many other colors also, in various parts; he has promised me one also; while for my benefit his niece's beautiful pairs of ruby and sapphire bracelets, and later her diamond ones, were brought down and shown & admired. I took my kodak but only got one picture, a time of the water, hyacinths which I hope will turn out well, tho' I'm exceedingly dubious. We returned soon after six, having gone out on the 4:12 train. Mr. Ali San made about (P. 3000) on his real estate deal which has been occupying so much of his time & attention here lately; he missed school this aft. on the account. I wore the white braided voil given me

62 by Katharine Reid. March 3, 1912 - Friday Miss D. went to town after breakfast yes, and got me R.75, so of this I gave to Miss J. at the station to buy a crate of thinne butter; 14 went to J. for room rent; I paid Miss D. the 3 she loaned me, and Saya 3/8 for the book ordered and received not long since. I finished reading "Modern Buddhism in Burma" by Purser and [Saunders?], the first of the eight required [required] readings for this year. Washed hose and handkerchiefs and did a lot of other trivial but necessary things. About five p.m. we decided to go to the college to tennis tea, and arrived there found about a score assembled to play and partake of sandwiches (three cornered) and layer cake (evidently homemade). Mrs. Jury was embroidering [embroidering] a small pillowslip and seemed more industriously [industriously] inclined than any of the others. I asked about getting some of the required books out of the college library. Miss D. asked Mrs. [Whituah?] about sharpening her tools, which to my surprise, she had brought along in her small [shan?] bag; this was over an hrs hard work on a small treadle [?] putt stone, with a smoothing off on her oilstone, Mr. Ah Son brought me a handful of creeper seeds today, which I've put carefully away in an envelope for future use. talked to Miss Smith first this aft; later to Mrs. Safford; and swiftly to Miss Hunt. Took a nap at noon, but after about half an hr's snooze was awakened to pay duty and postage on the apron red and white, which Aunt Lizzie sent me. Got two! I's this wk. for the first time in a coon's age; also "missions" and a number of nice letters and cards, Plus some lurid oil prospectuses - which went in the waste basket in short order. Mr. A. has been

been but a good deal, for dinner especially, etc. to my great relief. Dr. K. picked us up in his car on our way back. March 43, 1922 - Saturday Went to town after [ehota?] this a.m. to de Songa's for my [hodale?] pictures which came to R/6/ and [Repsodent?] tooth paste R 1/8; then to the press for postals A. 9/ and back again - late for class as the St. Cary conductor and some Mohammedan passengers had an altercation about the fare, and "police" were freely spoken of, the mortorsuan [mortorsuan?] stopped the car; others shouted for him to go out, etc. Saya had brought me some of the yellow cosmos seed, also the beans of another creeper. - both mild. Finished "The Birds of Burma" by Harrington [Harrington], loaned me by Mrs. Pattle today. Miss D. finished her blue crepe slumber robe today; I do not seem to have accomplished much. We went to Mrs. Cousasice's [Cousasice's?] to tennis tea this p.m., hiring a gharry for 2 hrs. Met misses Campion and Jackson, Lady [Mistonurses?], English women; our host conducted us over his flower [flower] garden and up to the highest balcony of "Tower House" for the view. Two doyen or more men and women were present, but we left about seven; the play had ceased and those remaining wound their way up to the house; they have a grand piano and sometimes have music [music] later. I was given a cordial invitaion to return, so I think I shall go again soon and take Miss Peterson along [along] with me. I learned at the tea yes. that she is quite a bird lover also; I was speaking about it at the dinner Table and she told me that at one time she was able to identify 135 of the native species, and has promised to take me out for some bird walks at [Kalow?]. Mrs. Howard invited us; three Miss D., to dinner next Wednesday evening. Misses Chapman and Waldeu, Ma Sein Tha, [bolo?] and Chima were here to a guide meeting; yes. aft. and were first leaving as we came in; [Small?] aloud to tell what I'd hear the aft before [Seadi?] Nuss

March 5 1922 - Monday Saya was over half an hr. late this a.m; He missed his train, he said but he's been tardy frequently here of late. The Americans are to meet for luncheon at the Strand Hotel (with 3 A. bishops) next Wed. I got a postcard notice this a.m., so Misses D, P., + I are all going. Think I shall also go to all the tennis teas that I can this next week or so, as I won't have many more times to attend them. Took Miss Haswell's card, which had been here several days, over to her when we went to class this aft. After tea Miss D went to town, + I went over beyond the r.r. station to try to get a picture of the ugly water buffaloes; the first I took will doubtless be bad, as I'd left my stop on "time" when I thought I was taking a snap, so took another which I hope will be good, tho the subjects were rather faraway. Miss P. went to town and was also out to dinner last eve - I think at Miss S's next door. Think Mrs. W's tea, or whatever it was, also came off this aft, instead of last Fri, as I at first supposed; perhaps she has had a series, however. There was a parade of some of the native peoples to vary the noisy program last eve. M. prayer meeting is to be held at Duffs tomorrow eve, so I hear, but it is Gaites' time, + neither Miss D, nor I got a notice. Miss G. made the suggestion that we have a class morning session at K., + then each have an hr. privately in the aft., so may be this will be done, coming from that source; this has been suggested before, by Miss D. if no one else, but has [????] to not been acted upon. We retired rather late for us - after 10.

March 8 1922 - Wednesday It seems to me that instead of improving that I'm doing worse on my dictation on Burmese than ever; it is certainly discouraging. We 3 went to the ? luncheon (tiffin) in house of the 3 Methodist Bishops. I had the pleasure of sitting beside the speaker Bishop Fisher - who knows Bishop Darlington + Mr Samuel Higginbotham of India. My righthand companion was Mr McClair[?] of the N.C.A, who also knows the latter; he inquired about the Misses Hunt + Seel, neither of whom were there, nor was his wife. The hotel orchestra put a medley of A. tunes in honor of the occasion; Mr Moffitt tood out Mrs. W + behind him was an A. flag; at the other end of the table was our Mr. P with Mrs R, with a B. flag. We had a nice menu; about 35 were present, only nine of whom were Baptists. Mr M said there were 102 A.s in Rangoon. A Mr Fisher, a tobacconist sat by Miss D, on the opposite side of the table from me, with a young M who once attended Asbury College, on the other; one of the others bishops was at teh corner + a Mrs smith left. The Chaneys came in this p.m. to see about passage to A as they leave on furlough ere long. We were at Howards for dinner; Mr + Mrs Duff, + Messrs Gard + Sowards[?] were also there, the last two walking home with us. Mrs D. also goes to A. in April, with hre son + daughter to Texas. When we returned found a letter + parcel from Mrs Witchell, the latter containing a collar of her sister's - Mrs Brackenridge - and some Christmas cards - the latter for "the children." We had a lovely dinner with fresh corn, delicious choc. pie

March 10 1922 - Friday As soon as school was out, Miss D. + I went to the teak yard near here, but down by the river, to get some snaps of the elephants; she took a couple of the water buffaloes on the way. Arrived there we found seven, but they were not working; all were under a long shed having their hay. Three of the mahouts came out from their huts nearby and took their beasts out in the sun where we could get good pictures; Miss D got half a dozen, but I only had 2 unexposed on my roll, so that was all I took; regret I had no more with me. This aft Miss D. finished packing + at four we went in 2 gharries [?] to the station' she had over a dozen pieces of baggage, about which I teased her, but she said when I'd been there awhile I'd acquire the habit; may be so. It's true nearly everyone here does go loaded; of course there's a reason for some of it, but it also seems to me there is a reasonable limit. Went to the dentist this a.m.; he ground off, but did not fill the tooth that the gold dropped off at tea yes. aft. I stopped at de S's on my way back by train. Mr A was at the station; he was out to dinner last night, with the Duffs again, I believe; + said he was going to Mouli????for a few days visit.

can wait till Monday. Haven't been to the Ass. yet, but have had no one to go with me evenings, + been too busy in the daytime. March 12, 1922 - Sunday Got up rather late, went to Faunadau[??] to 10:30 service with Misses Geis + Gifford (M.D.) the latter arriving this morning; between 15 + 20 of the missionaries were present on account of the association. I saw several who were at the Proine-Zigon[??] Association last month. Dr. + Mrs. McGuire were over at the next house for breakfast, so I told the former I wished to see him, + he promised to come over before two so I could have a little talk with him; I waited till 2:30 - then too late to go to the afternoon meeting + then went to the deaf school to tea, more in response to the note of the night before than anything else. Left about 5 in order to call on Mrs. Grove, who, I regret to say, was not at home. We seem fated to miss each other. Then I stopped by Croton Lodge to see Mrs. Battle[?]; her husband and Mrs Brown also came along; she ordered lemonade, we had an interesting talk about birds, the Prince, etc, so I remained about an hour. On leaving I was invited to tea at the Republicans[?} again tomorrow aft. Got back too late for ch. again, but it was so hot I didn't care much. Miss Peter came in and chatted awhile in the aft. I gave her some soda for heartburn; + Dr G a toothbrush, as she had forgotten hers, and later some paste as well. Had to go to the bottom of my trunk for them. Disappointed about the deaf school; but the less I say, the less I'll have to regret; so I'll keep my tongue.

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 [? hand]. + 2pr hose, the wht. silk ones will have to be darned tomorrow. Sam 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 [???] will appear some time druing the day. Miss L. gave me a note, also a cordial invitation to make that headquarters when in town. Mr Ak Sou 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, but hope it is not true. Told the Ms how to

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. D. to come claim a damaged [Bareel?], 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. In 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 B. 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 [anyday?] 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.

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 Plimmer 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, as she says J's brand is attrocious; called at Rowes' 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 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 clogh, masking etc, from steamer. More last minute phone calls, Miss D. + ????? 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 farm?? stairs swept, chairs dusted, etc, furnishing a rag for the latter process. Dr. Cummings + Mr. Darrow here; also Miss Adams, while the Cou??