We made it to Oxford in good time and I spent a most wonderfully refreshing day at the museum. There were so many wonderful exhibits--I could spend several days there and feel that I had not seen all I wanted. Pappa's meeting went very late, so we are staying with his friend. Mayhap I'll get back into the museum tomorrow morning before we have to catch the return train. Pappa says that his meeting went very well. He got several good critiques for his paper. His colleagues also thought that the paper first draft Pappa sent off yesterday would be returned sooner than thought. Probably on the second or so. With that peer review and the critiques he is getting from other colleagues in the next few days, he should have the final ready to submit by the 4th or 5th. Let us hope, anyway. I long to be back in the field. Pappa hasn't said anything about our next assignment. He often knows where he will be going next before we return, and starts researching the new assignment almost as soon as the paper is in it's final stages. Maybe our unplanned stay in Korr threw off the timing for the next project, and he needs to find something new. He's also not talking to me about the new assignment, which I find most strange. If he has not said anything by the time the final paper is submitted, I shall have to talk with him. After our last adventure, we shall have to find new staff. Mrs. Hardy and Mr. Cleeves have both declared that they want a nice quiet rest in the city. I don't blame them. With all the undead and all. Some of them even our own party! Anyway, I shall have to remind Pappa that we need to schedule the interview soon if the party is to be ready when we leave...

1.Jun.1870

Most horrible news! Lord Clarendon died in his office last night. It was on the front line of the paper that I bought when we arrived at the train station this morning. Pappa is very sad. Because of his many travels, he has worked with Lord Clarendon many times. The papers seemed to be of two minds. The sensationalists tried to import that magic was involved, while the more factual accounts took into account Lord Clarendon's advanced age. I hope this will not delay our next assignment.

Later

We arrived back at Sir Cosmo's household to find it in a tizzy. It seems that most of the household was going to a recital with a reception to follow. A new maid had arrived, I guess yesterday. I believe that her name is Miss Bertilde. Because they didn't know if I would return in time, she was to go to the recital in my place. I can understand not liking to dress up, but there was no need to have an argument about what to wear. I believe that Ms. Whitnell and Sinclair won out because she looked quite the picture when they left. I wonder if she knows that. I shall have to tell her tomorrow. I'm glad they sent her in my place. I didn't really want to go, and had forgotton about it, because I want to transcribe Pappa's notes of his meetings yesterday. That way they will be ready when he gets the peer review paper back. It will take less time that way for him to write up the final draft. At that point, I shall copy out the manuscript so that the printer has a hope of being able to read it... Sometimes I wish that Pappa had worked harder on his penmanship. It seems that I am the only one who can decipher it.

Pappa also has several meetings this afternoon and evening. I reminded him that he needs his rest. I asked him not to stay up until all hours of the morning visiting with his friends.

Later

Wonderful news! Pappa just returned home (MUCH too late for my liking. It is well past midnight! With all the work he is putting in on the paper, he should be sleeping when he can!). He knows what the new assignment is. We are returning to Kor! Pappa has been appointed England's diplomat, and I am to accompany him in my role as translator. Also, I suppose, to act as a sane head around She. For some reason, She doesn't seem to affect my thinking as She does others. But more importantly, I can continue my research in their library! I had not the chance to even a fraction of the writings there. There is so much to learn! And Korr is very close to many other interesting archaeological sites. Perhaps, on some planned leave time, we can visit other places in the area. I can't wait to share this wonderful information with the others!

Later, still

My euphoria was cut short due to the sudden return of the household. I had been finishing up transcribing Pappa's notes when they came bustling in. They can't even go to a recital without something happening and coming home disheveled and injured! It seems that Salmaline, Lt Wooster, Miss Bertilde, and Dr. Wilson were in the worst way. And for a wonder, Dr. Wilson didn't blow anything up! Is he feeling well? Of course, I helped with cleanup, and everyone is now in bed. I have a feeling that class may be canceled in the morning since Salmaline was badly wounded. Bother, I am doing so well in my Hindi. I dilligently practiced and studied on the train rides to and from Oxford. I shall have to see what Ms Whitnell says in the morning.

I have enjoyed the company of these marvelous people. It is wonderful to share the company of so many independent women. I have learned many things from them, but I just can't take their level of excitement. I prefer the honest work of being in the field. There may be excitement from natives, or sickness, or (and even better in my opinion) unexpected archaeological finds, but they do not happen EVERY SINGLE DAY! I like my excitement spread over a longer period of time. Hopefully, things in Korr have quieted down, now that She knows about the undead and that the sorceror person was vanquished. I wonder if She will let us study the swirling star column...

And now I really must sleep. Tomorrow will be very busy. Pappa will hopefully get his per review back, and then he will write the final draft. I will need to start getting supplies for an extended stay. At least the clothing will be simple. I don't think it will matter what I wear, since they really don't know how the English are supposed to dress. I don't think their diaphanous coverings would suit me well, so I shall have to come up with another idea. I was really taken with the reform costumes that Ms Witnell and Sinclaire were wearing in Kor. Perhaps I shall have to get a few sets made up before I leave. Another thing to confer with Ms Whitnell about tomorrow.

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