, cruel awakening! O the sorrow, the sorrow of
it! Prayed with family, and left with heavy, leaden heart.

Why is there so much sorrow and bitterness in this life?

Last week, when his wife visited him in hospital, he gave her half an
orange to give his Nellie, and on another occasion a biscuit--and all
the while his girlie was under the cold, dark sod.

Visited Van den Heever, 68. Also 626, 631, 624, 70, 74.

Went with trembling heart to 532; "Waar is die kind?" ("Where is the
child?"). "Nee, Minheer, zij is vannach om een uur dood" ("Sir, she
died last night at one o'clock").

Found the Van Zyls, 499, and the Robertsons, 503, had also lost
babies during last few days.

424, Hasebroek; sick child; baby died yesterday.

482, Hetts; little daughter very sick; wonder if! Such a sweet little
thing.

Getting sick to death of doctor; such a terrible amount of brag and
big talk, always about himself; always dread his calls; can never get
so far as to return; a regular thorn in the flesh.

Visits to hospital.

Mr. Van der Merwe still very bad; men's ward full of boys; some very
bad.

Martie Snyman recognised me to-day, and asked me to pray for her;
mother there too.

Mr. Becker funerals; six.

* * * * *

Wednesday, September 18.--Bitterly cold night; frost; glorious day.

Regular holiday; did precious little "leeraarts" (pastoral) work
to-day; grand clean up; fine bookcase of big box; grand!

Baby[49] comes regularly now to clean up.

Tent very close to-day; hot weather; contemplating building house;
busy with estimates to-day; will need about 3,500 bricks; such
edifice will be real boon when hot weather sets in.

Our kitchen is palatial, and the admiration of the whole camp, and I
guess hundreds have cast envious eyes upon it. And yet within it is
but 4 feet by 7 feet, its height is 5 feet 10 inches; but it has a
pitch roof, with coffee tins beaten out to serve for zinc. It is
built of good, raw brick, and the walls are 4 inches thick, plus two
more inches of substantial clay plaster. It has a window without
panes, and a doorless doorway, and yet a marvellous structure both in
workmanship and usefulness. Total cost about L3. Let me not forget
its chimney--made of a half-sheet of zinc, and beaten into a cone
(1s.). Now with my mind's eye I see the structure sparkling in the
gentle moonbeams. A thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Enough!

Rigged up church again; little near