Diary

Such

[number 13 in margin] found that Ronald had lost his tickets for his steamer. We had to unpack and spent 2 very trying days in getting arrangements made. George also lost his letter introducing him to the [illegible] and so we have been all bothered. Certainly it is hard work to look after two men. Who will not try. Ronald & his father are both so self willed. We cannot be happy together and I will I fear have trouble where I least expected it. Milly and Ronald have been far from good friends ever since we started. He cannot forgive her for not admiring Miss Belton. Oh dear between being worried by not hearing from home and all this worry just now I cannot stand it. Ronald goes on the 16th on the steamer Perne. We sail at the same time on the P & D Singapore [?] from Hong Kong to Singapore. from there to Rangoon. But the fault is no person makes any arrangements in advance and this spoils our agreement which

We have spent some very uncomfortable days during this journey that might have been avoided. George has not got good hearing & often does not answer a question. So his saying nothing goes for [silence crossed out] consent. I do not see where this will end him and I am worried about him. He has become very impatient with me. Between all these fires the life is not desirable and all our pleasure is taken away. I really wanted a handsome silver bowl & I saw just what I wanted to get. It cost 80 dollars [Mexican?], and he did not care for it, and got instead 10 ? Malay [crossed out word] knifes. They are handsome of their kind and very strange. He got them at a sale for very little. We have sent our heavy luggage on board & and go the Hong Kong Hotel tomorrow. Ever since we have been in in Hong Kong every thing seems to have gone wrong & it all [reacts?] on me. And I feel so tired out -- with trying to please every one & always

failing Ronald & Milly growing so far apart seems to act upon my nerves and I cannot sleep or think like I used to this getting away from letters kills me, & I cannot stand it any longer.

Ronald talked to his Father for the first time today about his plans but he is not frank enough to please me. God grant he may yet see his faults and turn over a new leaf before his opportunities leave him he knows no will but his own, & is selfish beyond any person I ever met with it all as I told him the remedy is in his own hands. For he has no vices he does not drink gamble nor has he so far as I can see serious faults, but he just agravates one until you feel you must tell him to stop he feels we do not approve & he will not blame him self - I could believe I ever suffered as I have in the past few days in all my life. For unless Ronald can

15 changes he is bound to be a failure in life, he expects too much & does too little. People outside of his own family will not put up with it. We met Commander Kingsmill of Walkerton, & Mrs St John the cousin of the Hutchinsons who was Alice Williamson, ? [Cork?] sister of George Williamson of Toronto, We liked Mrs Percy St John so much + she was very just in what she said about the Hutchinsons one & all. Tomorrow we part - we for Singapore Ronald for Shanghai on his way to Japan, 16 Oh if it were not for the partings we could be spared so much pain A wet cold wind + a dark sky, is our last day with much rain in showers