Hello there,
It's Mandy here.
Thanks so much for joining me tonight and welcome back to Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.
M.
Delafield.
It's an interesting fact that in 1911 Delafield chose to pursue a religious life.
She was actually accepted as a postulant by a French religious order established in Belgium.
Her account of the experience,
The Brides of Heaven,
Was written in 1931 and eventually published in her biography.
The motives which led me,
As soon as I was 21,
To enter a French religious order are worthy of little discussion and less respect,
She says.
These motives appear to have included receiving only one marriage offer when she came out as a debutante.
Before I begin,
Please feel free to make yourself really comfortable.
Settle down into your chair or your bed and relax your hands,
Soften your shoulders and loosen your jaw.
That's great and if you're ready then I shall begin.
Chapter 11.
February the 14th.
Have won first prize in time and tide competition but again divided.
I'm very angry indeed and write excellent letter to the editor under a false name protesting against this iniquitous custom.
After it has gone become seriously uneasy under the fear that the use of a false name is illegal.
Look through Whitaker but can find nothing but stamp duties and concealment of illegitimate births so abandon it in disgust.
Write to Angela under my own name to inquire kindly if she went in for the competition.
Hope she did and that she will have the decency to say so.
February the 16th.
Informed by Ethel that Helen Wills has had six kittens of which five have survived.
Cannot imagine how I shall break this news to Robert.
Angela writes that she didn't go into the competition thinking the subject puerile but that she sold Merope's crossword puzzle in 15 minutes.
NB this last statement almost certainly inaccurate.
February the 21st.
Remove bulb bowls with what is left of bulbs to greenhouse.
Tell Robert that I hope to do better another year.
He replies another year better not waste my money.
This reply depresses me.
Moreover weather continues arctic and have by no means recovered from effects of Lady B's so-called hospitality.
Vicki and Mademoiselle spend much time in boot cupboard where Helen Wills is established with her five kittens.
Robert still unaware of what has happened but cannot hope this ignorance will continue.
Must however choose suitable moment for the revelation which is unlikely to occur today owing to bath water having been cold again this morning.
Lady B calls in the afternoon not as might have been expected to see if I'm in bed with pneumonia but to ask if I will help at a bazaar early in May.
Further inquiry reveals that it is an aid of the party funds.
I say what party?
I'm well aware of Lady B's political views but resent having it taken for granted that mine are the same which they are not.
Lady B says she is surprised.
Later on she says look at the Russians and even look at the Pope.
I find myself telling her to look at unemployment none of which gets us any further.
I'm relieved when tea comes in and still more so when Lady B says she really mustn't wait as she has to call on such a number of tenants.
She asks after Robert and I think seriously of replying that he is out receiving the oath of allegiance from all the vassals on the estate but decide that this would be undignified.
Escort Lady B to the hall door.
She tells me that the oak dresser would look better on the other side of the hall and that it is a mistake to put mahogany and walnut in the same room.
Her last word is that she will write about the bazaar.
Relieve my feelings by waving small red flag belonging to Vicky which is lying on the hall stand and saying à la lanterne as the chauffeur drives off.
Rather unfortunately Ethel chooses this moment to walk through the hall.
She says nothing but looks astonished.
February the 22nd gloom prevails owing to Helen Wills having elected with incredible idiocy to introduce progeny one by one to Robert's notice at late hour last night when he was making final round of the house.
Robert says he only allows us to keep one the small ginger one.
Receive long and in parts illegible letter from Sissy Crab bearing on the back of the envelope extraordinary inquiry do you know of a really good hotel manageress?
Combat strong inclination to reply on a postcard no but can recommend thoroughly reliable dentist but dear Sissy one remembers from old school days has very little sense of humor.
February the 24th Robert and I lunch with our member and his wife I sit next elderly gentleman who talks about stag hunting and tells me there is nothing cruel about it.
The stag likes it and it is an honest healthy thoroughly English form of sport.
I say yes as anything else would be waste of breath and turn to damage done by recent storms new arrivals in the neighborhood and golf links at Budleigh Salterton.
Find that we get back to stag hunting again in next to no time and remain there for the rest of lunch.
Can hear Robert's neighbor sitting opposite in cochineal three-piece suit telling him about her chill blames.
Robert civil but does not appear unduly concerned perhaps three-piece cochineal thinks he is one of those people who feel more than they can express.
She goes on to pass to appendicitis present sciatica and threat of colitis in the near future.
Robert is still unmoved Ladies retire to the drawing room and gather round quite inadequate fire.
Coffee I perform my usual slate of hand transferring large piece of candy sugar from saucer to handbag for Vicky's benefit.
Query why do people living in same neighborhood as myself obtain without difficulty minor luxuries that I'm totally unable to procure.
Reply to this if pursued to logical conclusion appears to point to inadequate housekeeping on my part.
Entrance of males.
I hear my neighbor at lunch beginning all over again about stag hunting this time addressed to his hostess who is a well-known supporter of the RSPCA.
Our member talks to me about football.
I say I think well of the French and that Behote Gray plays a good game.
NB this solitary piece of knowledge always coming in useful but must try and find out name of at least one British player so as to vary it.
As we take our leave with customary graceful speeches clasp of handbag unfortunately gives way and piece of candy sugar falls with incredible noise and violence onto the parquet and is pursued with a vicious zeal and determination by all present except myself.
Very very difficult moment.
Robert on the whole takes this well merely inquiring on the way home if I suppose that we shall ever be asked inside the house again.
To be continued.
