January 15,1871
We are off to Scotland with Icky. I gave Albert a letter of introduction to give to father and Edward gave him a tin of his best kippers. George just gave him a fierce look. Before I left this morning I talked to mother again, I know she tries but her mental deficiencies are enough to drive me to distraction at times. Sir Anthony has given me his vow that she will be placed in a respectable home in Australia It looks like Icky is on his way back he wants to show us the new revisions for the bridge.
January 16, 1871
I am bored most of my projects and books are packed away onboard the train and Edward, George and Icky have finished off the ones in the overnight bag. We are currently stopped for the evening. While the hostel is posh the selection of books that the staff will let me read is dreadful. When Edward asked for a book out of the immense library downstairs the steward positively shuttered. He reluctantly produced three of the sorriest looking excuses for books I have ever seen. I have spent most of the evening repairing them.
January 19, 1871
We are at the construction site. It is quite cold and Icky says it gets even colder at night. Edward had a lot of help unloading and setting up his work area George is already starting the fire in the forge.
January 20, 1871
I have started to repair the clockwork gig. Icky says it is one of Sir C's earliest projects and it is showing it's age . Several of the workers have taken to popping into the workshop during the day often with a bit of mend work to be done. Some of them though are just resting in a nice warm building . Must remember to talk to Icky about installing a small boiler for tea water in the forge.
January 22, 1871
Icky approved my idea for a small boiler and even directed one of the Foremen to assign a couple of men to help us by name. I am not sure why he chose these two they seem to resent being told to work with the children. It was almost as bad as Clara and Betty, and the whole nursery incident. Edward and George are stuck with Ian and Bert though.
January 23, 1871
We got the clockwork gig working again today. It will still be weeks before it's finished but the four of us managed to drive it across the construction site drop off some hot tea to a work crew and get it back to the shop. Ian seems to have a real knack for gears. Bert is still sulking.
January 23, 1871 addendum
I don't know exactly what happened but I have a pretty good guess I left the shop to run some plans over to Icky's office. And when I Got back Bert was laid out cold on the floor sporting a shiner that would be the envy of any roustabout. Neither George or Ian would tell Edward what happened. After he came around Bert was quiet the rest of the day. I Sent George off to the kitchen for a raw steak for his eye.
January 24,1871
It snowed today most of the work crew stayed home. I received several letters today.
January 25, 1871
It is still snowing Bert and Ian came in. Bert
seems to be in a cheerful mood. Icky came over to the shop and
joined us in a snowball fight . Then we all had tea. Icky started
teaching me Russian.
January 27, 1871
Spent most of yesterday and this morning removing snow my arms are tired.
January 28, 1871
Everyone is back to work today. I did various experimentation with snow removal methods today until Icky asked me to stop.
January 29, 1871
Post today I worked my courage up and sent a letter in pursuit after mother.
January 31, 1871
Finished the last of the gearing and adjusting
for the clockwork gig. We are awaiting a new main spring to be
dispatched from London. Bert started work on new paneling for
it today. Both he and Ian were wrangling on how best to deal with
the mud.
Dearest Mother,
I hope this post finds you in good health and in friendly surroundings. I am sorry our last meeting was so brief but being one of the participants in the event and my ongoing studies, left me with very little free time to spend with you. I am well my studies are progressing nicely. Lady Ottoline remarks often on my clever solutions to problems in front of me. I am currently a bit late for Russian so one must cut this letter short
Wilhelmina
Proceed to I forgot I was wearing shoes
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Contents of this page copyright 2003 by Michael
Yust. All Rights Reserved.
Sivan's Talking Watch, the mechanism and phonograph disc published
in De Natur page 32, 1895.