The Thomas & Place Family Collection

Sept. 29

The first day of school. Parents arriving with timid half baked daughters. Servants running whither they scarcely know, anxious but ignorant. The "Ladies" with an air calculated to convince [Morlus?] in five minute interviews that our manners are without flaw.

Nov. 1 Hallow Een was stale and unprofitable. The same trustees, bored, few, really entirely ignorant of the school, the same wives, adjuncts of the functions, the same clergy, hopeless, unamused, wearing faint parochial smiles, the same ceremony, pretty but not deep enough in its meaning to last three times, the same hymns the same gains + noise, the same blank helplessness of the unintroduced afterward. Only less of each of these - fewer trustees, the ceremonies flabby, weak, the hospitality lacking more conspiciously than ever. I was reminded of those awful College Socials.

Nov. 8

Mrs. Copley and I went down town last night after rehearsal to hear the returns. The street was crowded, with people who watched. The borders were stationary but a moving line bent on mischief went up and down, throwing confetti & thrusting feather dusters in mouths whenever one opened. Streamers shot inconcevably great distances and hung from trees & wires.

There was a continuous roar, voices horns whistles. But even the defeated were laughing. Everyone was merry. It was like a carnival.

Mrs. Doane says the country is not excited this year because everyone feels that whichever way it goes a gentleman will be in the White House.

It is so much pleasanter with Miss [Saway?].

malarial tortocollis - spanish fly blister - much trouble.

Nov. 17 Yesterday afternoon Margaret Gardiner came and stayed. Plots, apropos of her story accepted by Scribner's. Her mother, the children. She is so wise, so worldly wise and so young in her belief in herself. She really cares for Phillip but she honestly believes that she is indifferent. With sweet cheek she proposes to call me by my first name that I may no longer be "Anne's Teacher"

A dinner party Mr. + Mrs. Rice(?) Mr + Mrs Gavit The poltiical attorney Me

A descriptor of each, analysis Before dinner. Dinner The failure

Dec. 1 Dinner at Rices. They cannot accept you except in preconcieved places. They talked literature + kept explaining the vocabulary which I understand better than they. They didn't notice that.

Dec. 2 His awkwardness (his affliction) seemed to leave a vacuum into which impetuously rushed all their emotions, kindly and critical resulting in an impact which jarred his ignorance although it couldnt adjust it.

A face filled with posibilities of expression which her soul had never utilized. Subtile muscles which curved and dimpled, which her large primitive emotions had never needed. People were always charmed by her at first and then fell away.

Another has a plain face [lived?] on homely, large plan. Whatever variety of wit be felt, the thousand flashes which simulated(?) from his many faceted understanding could penetrate this edmay(?) medium in only one form. Plain laughter

most stand for them all. A monotonous repetition of simple updrawals(?) of the mouth, disclosure of so many teeth. It was years before his acquaintances said "He's a good sort" and slapped him on the back, enchanted with the elusive + nimble wit which always led.

He comes perfumed and in perfection of dress. His soprano voice is slanting + gives one a prejudice. He varies in native land from Virginia to Salem. He is interested in interesting things, perhaps therein lies his charm. Japan, Greece, writing, Cambridge, Albany provincialism(?). When he talks he screws up his eyes in a petty way that indicates conceit.

Dec. 19 Philharmonic with Harry. He told of his dream. A great church and organ. It was the custom for each organist once in his lifetime to give a perfect performance. The chance had come to one man. H. was a spectator. He was to join a monastery in a short ime - a week - connected with the church. The brothers never came back to the world(?) but could hear the services in the church better than anyone else through a screened gallery. The people came, the organist was ready with his compositon and his skill. H went to hear from the gallery knowing that he could never return but considering the loss(?) of his last free week not too much to pay for the best place from which to hear the music. A key hole. There was debate as to whether to play in spite of

it but the organist thought it better to give up his one chance than to have the performance less than perfect. H. was consulted because he had paid his freedom. He too refused to have the imperfect performance.