The 'Correspondence' Affair #24 - March 31, 1913 (Millicent to Alexander)

[avirra.livejournal.com]

From : Thun, Switzerland

March 31, 1913

My dearest Alexander,

Your letter from Greece arrived very quickly. As you had hoped would be the case, the school again forbade the trip to Greece despite some of the girls putting up an awful stink about it. Those who did are being very quiet now. We received news that Bulgaria captured Adrianople about a week ago and it is expected that will end the Balkan War.

I feel peculiar bringing up any of the events happening year at the school when so many things of far greater import seem to be occurring, but as you likely know far more of those events than I, I suppose I shall stick to things happening here. I suppose that it what that saying 'tempest in a teacup' is really all about. Things that seem important where you are have no impact at all not so very far away.

The play came off fairly well. As instructed, I did my best to keep a look of glee from my features when it was my turn to stab Caesar. Despite the fact that even a moderately intelligent canine can be taught the trick, Lavinia seemed simply unable to grasp the concept of 'playing dead' after the stabbing scene. It rather ruined the lovely rendition of the funeral speech that Ermengarde performed when Lavinia kept waving to people in the audience from the bier where she was supposedly lying dead.

As I have no idea when you might possibly be able to return to London for your mail, I have decided to go ahead and send along your birthday present in hopes that you might possibly get it before the date. It isn't anything that requires regular feeding, so it will be quite alright waiting until whenever you are able to open it. At midnight when the clock turns over to the twenty-first of April, I shall look to the star with wishes for the year to be good to you.

I am not entirely sure why, but the headmistress here called me to her office to inform me that my records have been altered to show that I am Russian by birth rather than British and that if anyone should question me, that is the answer I should give. Ermengarde has gotten quite jittery about the entire thing. In her case, her records have been altered to say she is French (her late mother was French). For once, I am in agreement with Ermengarde that there is likely reason to be jittery. I am sure the headmistress wouldn't be doing this if it was not to help safeguard us, but from what we are not sure and it does make one rather nervous to try and guess. Perhaps it has something to do with your mention of the relations between Britain and Greece not being as kindly as they have been in the past.

The necklace you sent is a permanent part of my daily wear now. Superstitious or not, I want to keep my piece of luck with me. As always, I continue to pray for your safe travels where circumstance happens to find you.

Always yours,

Millicent

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

The bit about Lavinia is so visual and amusing. It brings back childhood memories actually. Having Millicent and Ermengarde's records changed creates a nice bit of 'jitteriness' for the reader as well. Nicely done.

[avirra.livejournal.com]

Lavinia is a mix of a girl I knew, a character in a book and a character off of a show *l*. All three were a bit of a pill. so I'm glad she seems to come across that way.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

All I can picture is this big-nosed girl with it stuck up in the air all the time. lol!