Saturday, 9 April, 1870

A relatively uneventful day, at least no rushing off in the middle of the night, no guns, and not too many escaping newts.

Edward and I did quite a bit of work with Latin, which he is picking up very quickly...if only I could improve his English half so easily!

He is showing a pleasing interest in Botany as well. We looked at a number of plants in the area of the house, then we went to the schoolroom to look at drawings of other species of the various families we had seen. He is showing a quick grasp of the comparative method, though he does tend to get distracted by features that he considers salient (such as overall size and bloom color). I also asked him to show me some of the diagrams he's drawn of a variety of devices. His hand is very fine. I don't have enough grasp of mechanics to truly evaluate the inventions, but Edward is enthusiastic in his explanations. If I can learn to understand his descriptions, he could well teach me as much as I can teach him.

My initial instinct to approach him with the air of camaraderie rather than of authority seems to be correct.

In the later part of the afternoon I assisted Miss Whitnell and her Mary to select and prepare Miss Namaste's clothing for a luncheon tomorrow. We have asked young Nigel Graham to join us. It's to be a traditional Indian meal, apparently, though I've had nothing to do with the Kitchen end of it. Graves seems a little wild-eyed.

This afternoon seemed almost like a distorted reflection of my life of a week past...helping a slightly giddy, slightly anxious young lady fuss over what to wear to impress a young man (without the least hint of impropriety, of course). The oddity is that she's going to wear a "sari," the draped Hindoo women's dress. It's lovely silk, and covers the wearer fairly thoroughly, though it's just wound round and round the body. I admit I was more spectator than helper.
In addition to learning about Indian clothes, I am beginning to learn more about Miss Whitnell and her companion. Despite the fact that all three of my compatriots lapsed frequently into Hindi, I can readily see that Miss Whitnell has an unusually friendly demeanour toward her Mary, almost sisterly. This doesn't seem to be that genial air that some aristocratic women put on with their servants, only to snap away if the servants become too informal in return. I think it's genuine and reciprocal. Miss Whitnell is certainly not conscious of her status, and in fact is increasingly friendly toward me.

I have also learned that Mary's original name is "Tatvick," or something like that.

Tomorrow, we will be getting some new staff. Graves' niece will be joining us It will be interesting to see what happens to the household once "below-stairs" consists of more than just Graves. Will a more typical hierarchy be enforced? Graves himself is quite a proper butler, and always follows the expected procedures, even though Sir Cosmo is fairly informal with him. Of course, Graves has been an all-purpose manservant for some years, as Sir Cosmo has lived in seclusion for quite a while.

I seem to be holding position as a lady guest, on par with Miss Whitnell, despite my paying situation as tutor and Governess. I can't help but wonder if Sir Cosmo will be adding a Housekeeper to the staff. They are always trouble.

Well enough of that. I have work to do. I'm afraid I will have to recopy the manuscript of Section 9, as it somehow got into a puddle, and has newt spoor all over. At least the illustrations are safely in my trunk of papers!

Sunday, 10 April 1870

Attended services with the household. The church in this neighborhood is a little less dreary than the one at the Mertons', though I'd still rather be elsewhere.

Our luncheon went well. The food was interesting, though I didn't dare eat much. Young Nigel was very attentive to Miss Namaste. I can see a very profound attachment forming, and I can't help but worry. I don't think much of the young man's prospects, and he's rather callow. I suppose it's not my place to comment, but the practice of assessing young men for suitability doesn't vanish overnight.

Patsy, Graves' niece, moved in today. She seems eager to please. Graves is happy to have her, and I think I can trust his judgment. He takes his duties very seriously.

Monday, 11 April, 1870
(morning)

I seem to have suffered few ill effects from yesterday's unusual luncheon. Although highly flavoured, Miss Namaste's dishes appear to contain few of the particular compounds that affect me most severely. Still, I'm glad that I partook lightly. The household is quite redolent of exotic spices.

Edward and I will be going to the British Museum today. He has a subscription of his own. I hope to induce him to practice some civilised manners in public.

(Monday evening)
Well ,the British Museum was quite a bit more exciting in Edward's company than I have found it ere now.

We toured a number of areas I'd not seen before, for example the narrow catwalk around the inside of the Reading Room dome. It all looks quite different from above.
We also spent a good amount of time in the Engineering section, where Edward showed me some of his favourite works. He was kind enough to explain some of the principles previously unknown to me.

The guards and librarians show remarkable tolerance for Edward's behaviour. In truth, Edward is very careful with the books and fixtures, and I'm sure he's never broken anything, but such considerations rarely prevent upper-class adults from denigrating lower-class children. Especially the high-spirited ones. No doubt they are all quite conscious of Sir Cosmo's protective fostering of the boy. I only had to give an occasional sharp look to the guards to ensure that we could study unmolested.

I have asked Edward to take me with him on his bug-gathering rounds this evening, so we can identify his catch in the field. He seemed reluctant until I assured him I wouldn't demand a portion of his earnings.

(Monday late night)
Well, quite and interesting outing. We examined numerous noisome gutters. It's no wonder typhus is so destructive here in Town. Bad drainage everywhere, even in the "best" neighborhoods.

We did find some excellent areas for mosquito, midge, damselfly, dragonfly, caddisfly &c. I did some quick sketches of some different nymphs, just the larger types.

Tuesday, 12 April, 1870
(morning)

All yesterday's exercise gave me a fine night's sleep, though much activity in the household has awakened me in good time.

Edward is taking Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste to the rail station. Miss Whitnell is going to Stratfordshire to examine a cottage left her by her Great Aunt, and Miss Namaste will be going along.

I'm planning to spend my quiet morning finishing Section 9, and working on final revisions to 10 and 11.

Mr. Scuddamore has not responded to my request regarding the Linnean Society. I suppose it would be forward to ask again, but he is rather vague, so lack of response doesn't mean deliberate refusal. Perhaps I'll have to make a social call to assess the situation discreetly.

(Tuesday evening)
Edward and I put in a good afternoon in our schoolroom. Our Latin Vocabulary is coming along nicely.

Dr. Wilson has moved all his belongings out of his hotel and into the room where he had been recuperating from injuries he sustained Wednesday last.

Dr. Wilson has resumed work at the rocketry laboratories. Perhaps if I continue to work with Edward, I will eventually learn to understand Dr. Wilson also. He is certainly a colorful sort of person, and full of amusing American expressions. He isn't what most of my past connexions would call respectable, but no one expects civilised behaviour from Americans.

I learned more about Sir Cosmo's family today. Sir Cosmo went to the house of Lord Greyminster, his grandfather. Graves discreetly confided that this annual luncheon is usually strained. Lord Greyminster apparently blames Sir Cosmo for Sir Cosmo's parents deaths. How sad it all is.

Wednesday, 13 April, 1870

I slept poorly last night, and am awake again tonight. The household seems unsettled, with new people coming and going, with no routine about the days. Edward is an apt enough pupil, but it can be very difficult to keep up with his pace. He is entirely impervious to my attempts to modify his decorum, or lack thereof. He is persistently noisy and active. If he weren't so sweet-tempered and eager to please, he'd be impossible.

Miss Whitnell returned from her trip today. She brought several bundles of books and heirlooms. Apparently her Aunt's house was full of spiritualist paraphernalia. The two ladies reported some uncanny happenings during the night of their stay. I didn't hear all the details, as I was in the furthest corner of the house trying to escape the sound of Edward and Sir Cosmo working on the undersea vessel in the carriage house.

I have just about finished with the Moth paper. Perhaps Sir Cosmo will give it a preliminary reading, before I submit it formally.

Thursday 14 April, 1870

A restless atmosphere continues.

It is apparent that the Season is getting underway, as the post has been busy and we've had several callers.

1) Miss Louella Pinker, Sir Cosmo's second cousin, called this morning. Sir Cosmo seemed a bit anxious at this. I had the definite sense of an inspection. Miss Pinker seemed satisfied with the household.

2) Sir Cosmo received a letter from someone asking about me. Mr. Aidan Ramsay (a librarian at the Brit. Mus. Reading Rm, whom I met on Monday) apparently wishes to interview me about the incident at the Mertons'. I can't imagine why. I sent by post inviting him to call at 2:00 on Friday. This, of course, with Sir Cosmo's permission, and after alerting my colleagues to this interest in our business.

3) Rather more to my liking was the letter I received from Mr. Frazer. He is recovering well, and expects to be released from the hospital fairly soon. He kindly invited me to accompany him to the next meeting of the the Naturalist Society, where a Dr. Pilkington will be reading a paper. I'm not familiar with his works, but Mr. Frazer recommended one of his previous books. I'll have to seek a copy out this week.

I replied by return post, and invited him to dine with our household prior to the meeting.

4) Miss Whitnell and Dr. Wilson have been invited to a ball next Wednesday. Miss Namaste will apparently not be going, as she will be attending the Naturalist Society meeting with Sir Cosmo and myself. Even so, Miss Whitnell has been helping Miss Namaste with her social graces, as invitations are sure to start coming for her. For all her exotic parentage, she is quite a beautiful girl.

5) Miss Whitnell has invited me to call her by her Christian name, Victoria. This has never occurred in any previous Situation. I was so taken aback that I'm afraid my lack of response seemed rude. As soon as I recovered my wits, I of course invited her to call me Ruth. I can't say as I'm entirely comfortable with the familiarity, but I can hardly turn away such a kindness.

With all this going on, I wonder that any kind of work is getting done. I also wonder if we will be receiving any further assignments from Sir Anthony, or if he simply assumes that any trouble will seek us out with or without his efforts.

Friday, 15 April, 1870
(midday)

I went to visit Mr. Frazer in Hospital today. He is expecting to be released this afternoon, and he will be returning to his duties on Monday next. We had some conversation about next Wednesday's reader at the Naturalist Society.

I also looked in on Mr. Salmalin, the Indian man. Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste were visiting him while I chatted with Mr. Frazer. The two ladies have been trying to ensure his safety, since he helped our cause in the melee on the barge. Miss Whitnell seems to have a plan of saving his soul, and entirely to my surprise, she seems to be succeeding.

Sir Cosmo has indicated that he'd like to employ Mr Salmalin, nominally as a groom or a footman, which will keep him under our eye and safely in Miss Whitnell's beneficent influence. He can also serve as a guardian and perhaps even as a combat instructor (imagine!).

He seems to be a man of peculiar integrity, but his motives remain a mystery to me

While we were out, Sir Phillip Bond, an associate of Sir Anthony's, called on Miss Whitnell and Miss Namaste. They had had some dealings with him while they were trying to ensure humane treatment for Mr. Salmalin. They did not like him at all, but now he seems to be turning up in their paths regularly. Perhaps this is some nasty intrigue taking shape, or perhaps he simply takes an unseemly interest in unattached ladies.

Mr. Ramsay will be calling shortly, so I'd best change into an afternoon dress.

(Friday evening)
Mr. Ramsay's visit was essentially as I expected, though I still don't quite understand what his interest in the events could be. I simply laid out the events, just as I told it all to the police. He seemed to think there was something more to it, and continued asking questions of Miss Whitnell and Sir Cosmo. He tried, briefly, to speak to Edward, and to Dr. Wilson when he came in, but got very little more from them. I think he's after some occult story, from his interest in Mme. Z's carrying-on in the Mertons' carriage house.

Lord Greyminster is now planning to visit for a luncheon Tuesday next. This has created a furor.

Saturday, 16 April 1870

Mrs. Cuthbert and Mr Cuthbert came to tea today. Mr Cuthbert was typically somnolent. Mrs Cuthbert was more vaporish than usual, and was talking at length about a premonition she'd had about a particular lady's family. I tried to look interested, and to offer suggestions of practical courses of action.
Miss Whitnell and Mrs. Cuthbert have finally gone off to the Vigil service. I think it odd that the two most devout churchgoers of my current acquaintance are also the two most interested in spiritualism. I'm sure a priest would rebuke them for their occult interests, but I suppose I think it all about the same...is "superstition" too harsh a word?

In any case, I'm glad to finally live in a household which is not so concerned with attending church to keep an hypocritical appearance of piety. Though I would not want to embarrass Sir Cosmo, or draw attention to the eccentricity of the household, I don't feel that I need to put on a show for his benefit... just for his neighbors and perhaps his family.

Sunday, 17 April 1870
Easter

Despite the musings of my last journal entry, I did attend Easter services this morning, along with the rest of the house. I have been trying to impress upon Edward the benefits of being able to blend in with the rest of society when one wishes. I suppose I'd better practice that myself.

Master Nigel Graham joined us for Easter dinner. Where is his family? I know they're half of them criminals, but don't they notice his absence on a day of traditional family celebration? Perhaps they're hoping for a match above his station with Sir Cosmo's ward. Anyhow, he is just as deeply smitten with Miss Namaste today as he was last week. Fortunately, Miss Whitnell has taken Miss Namaste in hand, and took care to chaperone them as they went out strolling.

I thought I'd give a copy of the moth paper to Sir Cosmo, but he's been entirely too taken up with the upcoming visit with his Grandfather.

Monday, 18 April 1870
(afternoon)

After spending the morning with Edward, mostly doing botanical collecting, pressing, and sketching, I am quite ready for a quiet cup of tea. We climbed a number of trees to look at their budding leaves in situ. Edward simply doesn't get tired.

I have just been reading Dr Pilkington's "Herding Dog Breeds: a Case for Selection as a Force for Progress." He has some good anecdotal information, and a fairly comprehensive discussion of the varieties of herding dogs, but I don't think his hypothesis is very strongly supported.

His use of the word "progress" carries the assumption that Evolution equals Improvement. He is one of those who sees Natural Selection as a large-scale version of Man's selective breeding programmes, as if God were just a man with unlimited powers. It shows a distinct bias. I suppose I should be pleased, though. After all, there are still plenty of Naturalists arguing for immutability of species, at least I won't have to listen to that sort of drivel on Wednesday.

I neglected to note here that I received the book on loan from Mr. Frazer. What a thoughtful man! I am looking forward to enjoying his company.

This afternoon should be fairly quiet here. Dr. Wilson is at the laboratories. Miss Namaste is recovering from her whirlwind morning at the dressmakers, final fittings before she wears her new dress tomorrow. Miss Whitnell has accompanied Mrs Cuthbert to tea with Lady Ditteridge. Lady Ditteridge is the client whose family has Mrs. Cuthbert in such a state of anxiety.

Coincidentally, Lady Ditteridge is the daughter of Dr. Pilkington, Baron Scarisbrick. The particular person who has been featured in Mrs. Cuthbert's premonition is Robert Ditteridge, Dr. Pilkington's grandson. Mrs. Cuthbert seems to feel that she is responsible for the safety of Mr. Ditteridge, and she is going to try some kind of protective ritual with Lady Ditteridge's assistance. How interesting.

In that same vein of occult business, Mr. Ramsay of the British Museum and the "Order of St. Jerome" has now written to Miss Whitnell and offered his assistance with training her to use her abilities. I wonder if he is trying to insinuate himself into our circle for some ungentlemanly reason. He has successively sought out various ladies of the household, which seems suspicious. Still, he appeared to be more interested in my story than in my person during Friday's visit, and did not subject any of us to alarming flattery. Miss Whitnell has wisely asked Sir Cosmo and Sir Anthony to have his particulars looked into.

Tuesday, 19 April 1870

Today was very long. The household was quite wild with the excitement of Lord Greyminster's visit.

Miss Namaste looked beautiful in her new dress. I made every effort to tidy Edward up, and he really did his best, he want

Lord Greyminster himself seemed perfectly personable. I can't quite see what all the strain has been about. I suppose these sorts of family aggravations can expand out of proportion over the years.

We also had Mr Cuthbert and Mrs. Cuthbert here. They have been given rooms in the house, to make their assistance with "League" matters simpler.

Graves was in fine form. He worked very hard, especially since Sir Cosmo hasn't found a suitable cook yet, and Mr. Salmalin hasn't come on as footman.

I am awake late, with all the excitement of the day, and the rich food of our lunch, I just can't sleep. I think I will put some of my new ribbon on my blue hat. Goodness, it's been two weeks since I bought that ribbon. It seems like ages. Anyway, I'd like to be at my best tomorrow, and a freshly trimmed hat is just the thing. I can mend the bullet hole while I'm at it.

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