Evie's War Read Online Free Page B

then broke down in tears. Given her persistent illness of the last months, I began to worry that something serious was afoot, as indeed it is, though not at all in the way I expected. I went looking for Father to demand he tell me what was wrong,but instead found Uncle Aubrey. His reply to my distressed outpouring was to say, with some embarrassment, that it was a ‘woman’s concern’, and to escort me back to Aunt Marjorie with a firm directive that she should enlighten my ignorance, which she proceeded to do.
    I confess I don’t know what to think. Mother is with-child, by some four months. Apparently Mr Wheatley, the Ship’s Surgeon, proposed it as an explanation for Mother’s lingering malady. Edmund, it seems, has known for some time — in fact, everyone but me has known. If it was not now quite confirmed, I should think it impossible at Mother’s age. As it is, I am finding it rather hard to take in.
14 August
    Our outing to Cambridge proved a pleasant enough diversion, though I remain piqued that Mother should have kept me in the dark over so significant a matter. I really must wonder whether she had planned to confide in me at all.
15 August
    I should have described Cambridge a little. It is a beautiful and venerable town. Our capital city of Wellington, which I previously thought quite cosmopolitan, is positively dowdy and provincial by comparison. We visited St John’s College, which was sublime (although that might truthfully be said of all the Colleges). They are like grand cathedrals — cathedrals of learning, I suppose. The River Cam, at Littlebury no more than a creek, is in Cambridge a calm expanse bounded by manicured parks and overhung by willows, on which punting is a common pastime. Aunt Marjorie has allowed we might try it at a later date. It being the summer holidays there were few students about, but still I could imagine the cobbled streets and parksand even the river crowded with them. It made me quite envious of Lettie, who aspires to be admitted to such a place. I have written to tell her about the Colleges and to ask after her application to Oxford University, which I am sure will prove just as beautiful, if not more.
Sunday 16 August
    Today’s sermon focused on the brave Sacrifice of our Soldiers and the need to stand firm against the Menace shaking its mailed fist over Europe.
19 August
    A letter came from Lettie, who says I should not be cross with Mother for failing to inform me of her condition, as the situation must be quite difficult enough at her age, and worrying besides. I confess I had not thought of it being worrying, merely repellent.
20 August
    It is fiendishly hot. The Misses Morecombe sent a note inviting us over for the afternoon, but it was too hot for tennis. At length Sybil brought out the latest papers, which report a Russian victory on the Eastern Front. It seems as if this War will engulf every country of Europe! Sybil is of the view that one must do what one can to help, to which end Lady Braybrooke is organising First Aid courses. Mrs Morecombe says there is no end to useful work if one only puts aside one’s more frivolous concerns. I have volunteered to knit scarves, though my knitting is rather poor. Sybil has promised to teach me socks.
    As Edmund and I walked back to Deans Park he raised the possibility of signing up, but is unsure whether the BritishForces will accept him. By preference he would join the New Zealand Expeditionary Force but as they are unlikely to arrive in Europe for some months, he is concerned lest he miss the War completely. My advice was that he should better wait until Father decides what we are to do.
24 August
    The British Forces are in retreat and Germany has invaded France. Everyone begins to fear that the War may not be won quite so quickly as had been hoped. Uncle Aubrey says we must accept that this summer is out completely for our Tour. Father raised the possibility of our returning to New