The 'Correspondence' Affair #7 - August 20, 1912 (Millicent to Alexander)

[avirra.livejournal.com]

From : Thun, Switzerland

August 20, 1912

Dearest Alexander,

I am so terribly sorry that I have delayed so long in writing back to you. Examinations are apparently given here twice a year. I arrived after the first examination period of the year, but the second period is the second week of August. After all of that work, I decided that I would await my results before writing.

I am judged above my age level in English and French language skills, literature, dramatics, penmanship and general deportment. I am at my age level in German and Italian language skills (which considering my abysmal accent, I can only assume that means they do not have high expectations for anyone my age). I need improvement on archery, sewing, cooking, general sciences and mathematics. The head mistress seems pleased with my marks since I have yet to be here a full year, but has expressed that I do need to keep my nose to the grindstone more. I wouldn't say it to her, but what sort of an expression is that? Who in their right mind would put their nose against a grindstone? Not even Lavinia Wilkinson would do that and her nose verges toward the enormous.

As you might judge from my marks in dramatics, 'Romeo and Juliet' came out rather well. Ermengarde did have an unfortunate bout of the giggles during the first flirtation scene, but she managed to make it fit somehow and she made Juliet seem a bit coquettish. I am not one to argue with results and am relieved that it is over. Well, over until our instructor assigns us the next play.

Uncle William did manage to make it over in time to view our production and was very kind in his reviews. He even managed to get the headmistress to allow myself and Ermengarde to leave the school for the evening. The restaurant he took us to served possibly the finest meal that I have eaten thus far in my life. Ermengarde seemed to enjoy everything as much as I did and managed to make it through the whole of the evening with only two brief giggles. I do believe that there is hope for her. She and I have become rather close over the course of working on the play. She is a year older than I am, but not quite as academically inclined, I fear. She does score much better in cooking and sewing than I do, so I suppose it is simply a case of differing talents. I am assisting her in fine points on her French and she is giving me pointers on the difference it can make if one holds a needle in a different fashion.

We were indeed allowed news of the Olympics. I found it very interesting that Japan joined in the games. That rather does make the event a world encompassing one now. I was saddened to hear of the death of Miss Quimby, but she died doing something that she had a passion for. I know my dear mother once said that she would have been happy if allowed to die while dancing. I only wish fate had been as kind to her.

Yours always,

Millicent

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Brilliant portrayal of a girl living in innocence... again tying in historical references such as the Olymics as well as the curriculum for girls of the 'period' gives the reader the ability to time-shift into the period.

The comment about the grindtone and Lavina's nose was priceless!

Great chapter.