Sharp diary 1918 page 6. Thursday 3 January 1918 -
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Document date
Thursday 3rd of January 1918
Transcription Notes
Breakfast at 8.30. I then started to work in my new sitting room and managed to do something at my Introduction. Maud went out for some shopping and to go to the Carter’s School (where I hope to get a lecture) with Charlotte. We lunched at 1. I had a rest and then Charlotte called for us to take us round to her home for tea — there we met her married sister Mrs. Brown & child and two other unmarried sisters as well as a brother a deaf-mute. Had a long argument about prohibition with Mrs. Brown who is a regular Puritan and self-righteous American. One realises in her how easy it is to be too virtuous — quite as bad as, perhaps worse than being too vicious. I asked if I might smoke a cigarette and they all said yes if the child won’t dislike it! Nothing could be more typical of American life and the attitude to children — that perhaps is why so many of them are so objectionable seeing the priggish undisciplined way they are raised. Miss Hinman never turned up of course but telephoned instead expressing surprise that we were at home as she believed we were dining with Mr. Clarke of Columbia. Maud tried to find out what she wanted me to do tomorrow and it was to do by 10 train to see their military leader Kauffman about the sword dance. As we should not get back before 7 or 7.30 I bucked at it, the more so as the chance of getting a poor engagement was itself very problematic. So I told Miss Hinman I wouldn’t go. This angered her considerably I am afraid, but it was time I made some sort of stand against her.
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