Brittain, Vera, Diary, 2 January 1916

00000303-6.jpg
Description: 
Diary of Vera Brittain

Tabs

Case Study: 
From Youth to Experience: Vera Brittain’s Work for Peace in Two World Wars
Creator: 
Brittain, Vera
Source: 
diary
Date: 
2 January 1916
Collection/Fonds: 
Contributer: 
McMaster University Libraries
Rights: 
Vera Brittain estate; McMaster University has a non-exclusive licence to publish this document.

Identifier: 
00000303-6
Language: 
eng
Type: 
image
Format: 
jpg
Transcript: 

Edward came early this morning, & we seemed to spend a lot of time talking & copying out the Colonel's and Chaplain's letters. Then I made the pastry for lunch in the kitchen, and Mrs. Leighton & I quoted Burns & Verlaine to one another over the simmering Brussel sprouts on the fire. The letters had
made us all weep again -- Edward included. Mother came to tea in the afternoon; everyone seemed impressed by my nurses' dress, which I had put on at Evelyn's request, and Clare said she didn't wonder the Matron gave me extension of leave if I went about the Hospital looking like that. She ended by making a sketch of the cap. Mother was very nice -- but I almost felt as if she were a stranger. One cannot pretend to live in any other than one's own atmosphere when one has reached the bed-rock of life. Edward went with Mother at 5.30 as he intended to spend the evening with Victor. Before they left we had the "Morning Hymn" once more. And this time I thought all the while of His body being carried from the darkness of the church into the sunshine outside -- that dear beautiful body against which I nestled so closely one August evening, on a heather-covered cliff above the sea. . . . . . .
After supper I sat long with Mrs. Leighton before the dying fire, discussing problems of the future -- my future, and trying to find out how best to face the old ghostly enemies whom Roland's death has caused to rise again from the graves where His love had buried them.