The national diary 1908

23

Thursday Jan 23

A stormy day.

B.E.W. dined this evening at Govt. House. A few gentlemen only asked to meet Earl Grey, Gov. Genl. Lady Sybil Broderick with Earl Grey. Lady Clark [unclear] in the aft. as usual. Eth. & Carl went & found comparatively few visitors, being so stormy. Dorothy went up to see Gladys in the aft. & Alfred also dropped in after school. I sent up sleigh and they all drove down together, G. & John returning

24

Saturday Jan 25th

Gladys' boy born this evening bet. 10 & 11 o'c. Miss Allen left us to go to her about 3 P.M. not telling us. After my rest I heard from Dorothy that Gladys & J.S.H.G. were not coming to tea as they had intended, and that nothing had been said as to her going to there to dinner, as had also been planned. I therefore tel. to John & found that nurse and doctors were there. In the meantime Miss A. had tel. to E.I. asking that her her hand-bag be sent to her. The doctors left before dinner to return later. I communicated by tel. with John several times during the evening & before going to bed he was able to say that he had seen G. & that she was very cheerful & "quite all right".

A fine winter day, rather mild for walking. Miss A. & I called for Edmund at the Biol. Bldg. & we all walked to the bank where we saw some pictures of W. Blair Bruce which were in B.E.W.'s room.

Grace & Ewart in to tea in the afternoon. Eth. helping Carl to hang pictures in his [unclear].

25

Friday Jan 24

Very fine winter day. Eth. to her [unclear] class. I to town with Carl where we chose some furniture for his Studio. Dorothy drove up for Gladys and we saw them in town. I drove with G. for a very short distance in town, but remained when she returned home to lunch, & returned myself with Carl by tram later.

Ned with Grace to theatre this evening, I not being able to go, having been invited as [unclear] of the Univ. Governors. The Flavelles occupied seats in same box. Gov. Genl. & party & Lieut.-Gov. & party present. House filled with students. "Heidelberg" the play.

26

Sunday Jan 26

Drove up to the Prep. this morning with Ned, Dorothy & Harold going with us. I was allowed to see Gladys for a few minutes. She looked very happy & comfortable, & very youthful. The baby a fine big boy with a lot of dark hair and an excellent complexion. Beautifully nourished. Very long. John looking happy also. The day a very stormy one tho' not cold. Snow falling & wind blowing. Ned & the children saw the baby. Mr. & Mrs. Reid came in the aft. Leslie our only other visitor. I telegraphed the news of G. & her son to Mrs. Baker and had an answer in the evening.

Herbert did not come down today.

27

Monday Jan 27

Cold & bright this A.M. Harold has gone back to college looking better I think than ever in his life before. Weighs, without clothing, 126 1/2 lbs. Considerably more than Alf. who is much shorter.

Letter from Mrs. Bottomley this morning in ans. to ours written to Lady Kelvin at the time of her husband's death. Lady K. herself ill since middle of Sept. & still unable to read letters. Stroke of paralysis, speech returned & power returning but in serious condition.

D. to get her first piano lesson from Carl at the Studio this morning. He has secured his first paying pupil, Mrs. deCourey O'Grady of Winnipeg.

E.I. and Eth. both went to the Prep. this A.M. & saw the baby. G. well but with painful leg, strained or bruised. Sent cradle up in the aft.

I to see Lizzie in the evening. Better but looking very thin & worn.

Eth., Ed., D. & Carl to hear de Pachmann play at Massey Hall in the evening.

A clear & very cold day but fine for walking. Harold rather tired.