to think other people bores
if they don't do the same. We call our belongings by proper names. My
umbrella is "Jane," because she is a plain, domestic-looking creature,
and mother's, with the tortoiseshell and gold, is "Mirabella," and our
cat is "Miss Davis," after a singing-mistress who squalled, and the new
laundry-maid is "Monkey-brand," because she can't wash clothes. It's
silly, perhaps, but it _does_ help your spirits! When I go out on a wet
day and say to my maid "Bring `Jane,' please," the sight of her face
always sends me off in good spirits. She tries so hard not to laugh.

Father and I just make plain, straightforward jokes, like everyone else,
but mother jokes daintily, as she does everything else. It's lovely to
listen to her when she is in a frisky mood!

We are all depressed enough just now, goodness knows, but it cheers us
up a little to be together, and, in comparison with the Greaves'
conversation, ours sounds frisky. Yesterday we drove up to see the dear
home, at which dozens of men are already at work. It was at once better
and worse than I expected. The ivy is still green in places, and they
don't think it is all destroyed, so that the first view from the bottom
of the drive was a relief. Near at hand we saw the terrible damage
done, and, when I went inside for a few minutes, the smell was still so
strong that I had to hurry back into the air. It will take months to
put things right, and meantime father has taken a furnished house four
miles off, where we go as soon as Vere can be moved, and stay until she
is strong enough to travel to the sea, or to some warm, sunny place for
the winter. We shall probably be away for ages. No balls, Una! No
dissipations, and partners, and admiration, and pretty new frocks, as
you expected. Furnished houses and hospital nurses, and a long, anxious
illness to watch. Those are your portion, my dear!

I am a wretch to think of myself at all. Rachel wouldn't; but I do, and
it's no use pretending I don't. I'm horribly, horribly disappointed!
One part of me feels cross and injured; the other part of me longs to be
good and unselfish, and to cheer and help the others. I haven't had far
to look for my sister. While I was searching the neighbourhood for
someone to befriend, the opportunity was preparing inside our very own
walls! Now then, Una Sackville, brace up! Show what you are made of!
You are fond enough of talking--now let us see what you can