Malinda K. Miller Diary

102 On Wednesday at 4 p.m. We ask you all to tea; Leave language study all behind and come along carefree. Miss Miller, kindly choose the games and coach the girls to play

April 11, 1922 – Tuesday I had my private lesson yes. a.m., but forgot all about it this p.m. & Saya had to come & remind me. Studied tomorrow's reading lesson with Ida after class. Dr. & Mrs. McG. came – at our teacher's invitation – to class this a.m.; our lesson was the hard one about the bees, and we did more than usual; I was surprised at Misses G. & T.; Ida did the best of all. Miss B. is studying with the two inseparables [inseparables] since she arrived, and I knew they were hard at it last eve, as I could hear them, amidst a good deal of laughter, from our little porch. Right after breakfast we fixed the front part of the sitting room for prayer meeting at five; Mr. A.S. brought in a bench from the Minerses, which will seat three, & looked fairly well when covered with a blanket; 2 steamer trunks from the other side, & Miss H's from this, similarly covered, helped to solve the seating problem. Mr. H. arrived, so we siezed on his also – and it is well we did – as forty were present besides the children, Messrs. Harris & Howard being the only ones about, & they are in R. on building business; this is more than were gathered together last week – but Saya didn't come, nor Ma Me; I don't know why. Miss T. led, Miss B. & G. sang "Out of the marble palaces"; Miss J. prayed; Mr. Marshall dismissed, several others – both men & women, prayed, talked or asked for certain songs. Mr. H. reported about the Maymyo Bible Assembly just closed. Mr. Gates borrowed [borrowed] my "Introduction to Missionary Service" & my "Social Principles of Jesus" disappeared! Mrs. McG. left her box of laces & bundles of embroideries. I settled with Mrs. G. & this eve picked out R.58-12 worth of these, several baby things for the new members of the family back home.

103 April 12, 1922 – Wednesday Bazaar day again, so all but I., R., & I left before 7 to do the family buying – Mr. H. leaving later, he & H. being the latest to breakfast. I spilled choc. on the tablecloth, so tried to wash it out & then had to get out a clean napkin, which wouldn't mean anything if only the dhoby would come back on time. We went to Mrs. Heptonstall's tea this p.m.; all the A.B.M.'s were there, the 2 families from the Meth. house, & Miss Terry of the Y.W. There were ham, egg & jelly sandwiches, tea & tamarind drinks, choc. layer cake & all delicious. the men played badminton, and as I was asked to have charge of the games, I lined them up & we had "Chase the Chicken" and had just begun "Square Tag", when it began to rain & all 'chased' into the house, so the meeting soon broke up, as the cottage was not big enough to seat us all; it was after 5, however. I'd divided the crowd into the reds & the blues according to birthdays – Jan to June & July to Dec., but the first half the year had so much the better of it, that all born in both May & June had to go over to the other side. Ida got kicked on the shin by Dr. McG. so when we got back I had to help dress her wound, putting on the iodine while she did the crying. Several others got mail this p.m., but none for me. I took a paper over to Minerses; several of them are sick – 3, I believe, too bad. Miss J. returned my Book of R., as she got one, so – at I's suggestion – I gave it to Mr. Ah Sou. Mr. & Mrs. Tilbe, Miss T., I. & part of the way Miss P. walked home together. They say the Armstrongs left 15 almirahs filled with old letters, papers, etc., in the house where the Duffs now live; how I'd hate to have to gather up that mess; Mr. H. suggested that it might be good [?]

104 for old postage stamps.

April 13, 1922 – Thursday Mr. H. & Son went to Cummingses to play tennis this p.m. & the rest of us intended to go, but it looked so threatening [threatening] that we put it off awhile, and, sure enough, it soon began to pour & kept it up till dinner time. The billiard room leaked, but I think they managed to move around to dry corners & not get wet. Our bath also leaked some, & finally one spot in our bed-r. The Heptonstall's came by, having been to the station expecting [expecting] to see Ralph Henderson; he didn't come, so I lent them a black umbrella as they hurried home; I loaned [loaned] Miss T. my Burmese one yes. p.m. but she didn't need it after all. The Craigs from Insein came yes. & are lying on the side track near the station in their private car. The Phinneys are expected later in the wk. We are now planning a trip to Taunggyi for next wk.-end when the Ass. will be in session there. They celebrated Miss B's & Mr H's birthday this eve by having a candle at each of their plates & large strawberry shortcakes for dessert; their natal days were the 3rd however, & the former had one celebration in R. before she came up here. J. & I were going to call on the M's this aft, but began gathering roses to take over, Misses B. & G. helping, & the rain began, so we ran over with the flowers but didn't tarry. They had rook in the sitting-room this eve, for the first time since we've been here. Mrs. H. & Misses J., G. & B. playing, Mr. H. looking on; I also went in for a few moments before preparing for bed. One of our mulberry trees has been stripped bare, so we'll have no fruit off of it. The wind & rain broke down one of the rose trellises on a terrace of the garden; hope it will be fixed. We have several trees full of large green lemons that will soon be ripe. I read one of my Lit. Digests for a while today.

105 April 14, 1922 _ Friday This is Good Friday; Saya was asked to speak at B. service at the Meth ch this a.m., so five of us went down, having breakfast at 10:30 in order to do so. The durwan has been on a strike today, so Mrs. H. & Miss J. have had to go to Mrs. Miners again, as they did about the lights, etc. & finally got things straightened out. Yes., today & tomorrow are the B. water festival, but as they are mostly Shans up here, and an out-of-the-way place, we have seen nothing of it thus far. In lieu of someone better, I had to play the organ this a.m., & as I am not used to it, I usually forget to pump; then when this necessity is forced upon me & I begin to work my feet, I am then more than apt to overlook my hands! I was the only one from the house to go to the C. of E. evening service at 5:30 but there were about a dozen other A.B.M's there, so we formed the largest "bloc" of the congregation – with the possible exception of the "dotties". A number of us walked back together across the fields when I promised Mrs. Case some "rit" to try to dye some Easter eggs for her small son. We met Saya who had been to Tilbes to take the button moulds which I gave him, & he then covered & painted for the fancy fair to be held next week; later I gave him some red ribbon out of which he will make bookmarks for the same purpose. I called on the Craigs on my way to service but they were at Cummings, so I missed them, but I got a good look in the private cars, at any rate. Got to the ch. before the children's service was over, about a dozen or more in the neighborhood of six years of age were in attendance. Finished my sweater this aft., J. doing the cords for button loops, while Mr. Ah Sou chatted us for a while after class. The Hs & Miss T both returned the umbrellas. I washed out handkerchiefs & hose, darning some of the latter. The others were doing the latter when I re-

106 turned [returned] from service.

April 15, 1922 – Saturday Ida & I took a walk after chota; then back to straighten [straighten] up, after which I started a sweater which I think I'll give to Frances James Miller Haynes; its foundation is old rose, with a wide roman stripe at waist and on shoulders, & a broad band, possibly of black, at the bust; as it is being made from the left overs it will take some inginuity to plan a pretty one. Mrs. H. & I walked out to C's tennis court, arriving about five p.m; 4 ladies were playing but as soon as they finished I played with 3 men, Mr. Hattersley being my partner. After an all-masculine line-up: I again played with 3 men, Dr. C. this time taking me on as a partner. This was my first appearance on the court; I took my knitting & bag along & changed my shoes after my arrival. The three from the Pavilion who preceded us – Misses B., G., & T., left as soon as their set was over, going to the Heptonstalls to play badmington. I walked part of the way back with Mrs. Case & the remainder with Mr. H.; the former sent for the dye soap after dinner, Rachel bought me a rupee's worth of stamps at the p. o.; I sent six, but this was all she could get, so I hope to get some letters & laces off tomorrow. Mrs. C. was not down at the court, & met Miss Peterson going to town, but the McG. & Mrs. H. were there; Mr. Howard is still in Rangoon. Mr. Harris has returned from Tongoo [Toungoo] & he & his wife were over. Mr. Klein got a fall. Misses Adams & Peter were also present but didn't play; then there were the Marshalls, Jurys, Gates, etc., quite a gathering. The court was supposed to be in condition a week ago, but was not ready till Monday. No Amer. mail yet; we've been looking & expect-

107 ing [expecting] every day, but all in vain.

Easter. April 16, 1922 – Sunday I. went to B. service this a.m. but she was the only one who did. I gave an E. card to Hubert & one to Dorothy. I got 2 letters & a card off in time this a.m. for Mr. H. to take to the train to mail; later I got 5 off in time for the 2:15 collection – in all to Cousin Mary Clay (card to John), Ceylon lace to Cousin Jennie – to choose & then send the other on to T.J. – " Mary Paxton, darned net center; baby dress to Verna; petticoat & bib to Mary Portman; cap & bib to Mina Carpenter; S.D. booklet & stamped envelopes to Katherine; one for Lucile will have to wait till tomorrow. All the A. B. M's but Miss Peter – I believe – were at ch, but the Hattersleys left early, & Mrs. K. joined them. Dr. Tilbe preached. Miss J. thinks my little violet hat very becoming. J. & I then walked by for me to leave an E. card for the Chinese couple. When we returned the postman had been here with the long delayed home mail; I got letters from Mary, Margaret, Gustava – enclosing a lot of E. cards, cute little chickens & rabbits, & which I gave one around to those at the table; 3 I. J's, (one of Feb. 3), 2 C. E's, one Y's C., 2 LitD's & the Nat'l Geog:; I certainly was glad to get them all. My periodicals, beginning with March numbers have all begun except "Asia" & it doubtless will by next week, or the one after. After dinner – Miss Phillips came over with a letter from Miss Prescott for me; there was also a general one which we've all read, but it does not seem to apply out here, so as far as I've been able to see. I've now used up all my stamps, so must go tomorrow & get more. We had straw & mulberry short cake for dinner – very nice. I got a letter from Mrs. Elliott yes. & a statement from the press, as well as one several days ago. We've settled for our first

108 3 bazaar days; the rent & servants are yet to be pd however.

April 17, 1922 – Monday Saya went to Taunggyi yes. with his C. friends, so he was not here this a.m. We had class the regular time & then quit for the morn; he came by train about [about] 10:30, but we put off the private lessons till aft. This was bazaar day agin, but no one went but Miss J. & Mrs. H.; & "a day after the feast", it was a very poor one; we had the usual yellow raspberries for dessert, but alas! they were wormy! I. had her lesson first this p.m., then Miss G. – & I suppose Miss T., as they usually have them together. J & I went – about 5:30 to call on Miss T. at the Y.W. camp, but all were out; we followed the road around to the right, after examining the ruined pagodas nearby, and came home by the W.M. etc. The others went out to H's & played badminton this aft; they had some tennis this a.m. I gave I. the Pr. of black silk stockings that Cousin Kate Reid gave me last Christmas – a yr. ago – as she had never owned any of her life, think of it, in this day & age! They are for her birthday, but it does not come till July; there is no telling where I'll be then tho, so I gave them now & she can be getting the benefit of them in the meantime – & it will be that much less for me to carry around [around]! I did rather hate to part with them tho. This eve we all helped to roll the candy, which refused to harden, in oiled papers, so it would be presentable for the sale tomorrow. Miss Peters has promised doughnuts. We had a sample of the sugar & vinegar candy at dinner this eve. I

109 gave H. some colored paper dolls again this aft. but as he went with his dad to get a haircut he had to leave them so I [?] them.

April 18, 1922 – Tuesday The doughnuts arrived & Mrs Tilbe sent in 2 lovely cakes, white & choc. iced ones this a.m. Bonny iced the one made here yes. I. & I made a paper suit for H. after breakfast, out of newspapers [newspapers], in about an hr., when I had to go to my lesson. I suggested [suggested] this to his mother several days ago, but with no result [result]. Mrs. H., H, & Misses J., S. & B., I. & I went to the fair together, the others having gone out before; we dressed H. over there. After the judging & prize giving, the little lotus girls getting first, & the clock (boy) & sunset (girl) awarded the most original, we went around to the booths, children's; [brand?] pie & miscellaneous; sweets – with Misses G. & T.; and fancy work & clothing – with Mrs. Tilbe, Hackett, C.-J., Heptonstall, etc; the latter had more on hand than all the others put together. The sweet stall sold out, as they auctioned all they had left about 6 p.m. when the concert began; would have gone to this but it was crowded. J & I had tea at R1; we also bought candy, but mine wasn't good, so I soon gave it away – mostly to the servants. I bought a crocheted baby cap & net veil; looked at teddies but they were all too small, there several lovely waists, but rather expensive. A box wallah came around soon after breakfast on Sat. – several bought ribbons for Saya Ah Sou's bookmarks, which nearly all sold; the buttons, which I gave the moulds for, did not however, being priced rather high, but they were very attractive. We remained till about 7, as dinner was only about half an hr. late; I was so tired that I went to bed almost immediately after. The old dhoby came today, but another [another] was here yes. so he got most of our clothes

110 Misses Phinney & Ramsey visited our class this a.m. and remained to the bitter end. It seemed to me the others did more than usual.

April 19, 1922 – Wednesday Two box wallahs came today, from the first of whom no one bought anything except Mrs. H., who got some white stockings; the second had lace, so as usual, several of us bought more or less freely; I got a baby cap, two sets of square medalions, and a medium sized round center; I. got some square pockets – rather wish I had done so, too; but perhaps I'll have a chance later. Mrs. H. mailed the Shan bag I'm sending to Mrs. Dell & got me R4 of stamps in additon. Local postage goes up the 24th of this mo., so I must get everything that I can off before that time. After break. I worked on the chiffons & white ribbons I. donated for the bridal bouquets tomorrow; the former had to be washed, & then all had to be pressed; then the ribbons knotted & put on three different small safeties – graduated, & then all trimmed, & finally given in Mrs. H.'s charge who helped with the pressing, tho' we only had one small iron, Miss G's. We had A.B.M. prayer meeting at the Tilbes; several not there, but a most interesting session, Mr. Jury (a Canadian A.B.M.) leading. Miss Parrott came this aft. & is with Mrs. Heptonstall; they were not present, but Mrs. H. was & presided at the organ. Miss P. was their brides maid 25 yrs. ago & is going to appear at the reception tomorrow [tomorrow] in the gown that she wore that day – but this is a secret for the time being. I promised Saya to take the baby's picture today, but on acc't of fixing the ribbon, etc. had to postpone it, only till tomorrow, I hope; trust they were not greatly inconvenienced thereby. Mrs. H. Is responsible for the 3 bouquets of 25 white roses each for tomorrow, the Cummings & Phinneys – at whose cottage the celebration is to be held – being the other 2 coup-

111 les [couples]. Saw the latter this aft. for the first time since their arrival, as they only came Tues.

April 20, 1922 – Thursday Got Easter greetings from Sadie Tillard & Miss Sue Wover yes. aft., also several periodicals including the March & April copies of "Asia"; this a.m. no. 6 letter came from Katharine [Katherine]. We'd about decided to take the pictures this p.m. but it was so cloudy that our films would be wasted. E. & B. went to town before break for some tin foil to make the little silver presents, which were in boxes, on velvet, & too cute for words; the goblets for the C's marked Tiffany's; the bowl for the P's marked Rogers; & the knife, fork, spoon & napkin ring for the H's labled community. Mrs. H. made the pink bouquet for Mrs. P & I made the white ones for the other two, R. also helping. I. had a lesson followed by the H's; then we 3 hurried off with all the things, as the others were not ready & we did not want the flowers to be late. They took pictures of the party as soon as we got there, the C. twins standing with their parents, & Miss P. in her pink silk cream lace trimmed dress, very long & full according to present day styles, with full length double puffed sleeves standing beside the H's. Then we went into the house to the wedding march played on the victrola, & Mrs H. & I showered the honoraries with rose petals. We had delicious white & brown bread sandwiches, cakes & candy – homemade – of several varieties, & apple juice mixed with something else to drink. The others from our house were late getting there & missed most of the fun; I was very fearful about the silver "gifts" as the men quietly pocketed them so had to send word by Miss Rainey that they were to be opened & displayed on the center table. Dr. Tilbe made a suitable address & was very happy in his remarks, to which Mr. P, Dr. [page damaged]