Blanche Yurka's '07 Blog

My Daily Entries This Week

Sat Jun 22

A funny little belated birthday greeting came from Frank, which would be more appropriate to a family which the stork had just visited than to me.  But it is that "lad's'' nature to be a little "fresh'' so I suppose I must forgive him.  Rose did most of the cleaning, altho' I puttered around after her.  In the afternoon the Severa's from Cedar Rapids called; They are on there way to Europe. They are nice people, but to see how young and childish the girl is, and then to realize that she is only two years younger than I, is a little depressing (for me) And yet she is quite charming in her way. I think I must have allowed my very-young-girlishness to slip away somewhere between the last day of my 14th and the first of my fifteenth.  Had a funny meeting with V.H. [Victor Hugo Duras, Mr. D.] as we were going out. He tried to shoot past us without being seen, but Mila seized him, and he talked to her, ignoring us. Rose and I were shaking with laughter.

\footnote{W.F. Severa was a manufacturer of mail-order patent medicines in Cedar Rapids.  In 1902 he was co-founder and chief financial backer of the Society for the Promotion of Higher Education (Matice Vy\v{s}\v{s}\'{\i}ho Vzd\v{e}l\'{a}n\'{\i}) which endowed scholarships for Czech-American students and sponsored Komensk\'{y} Clubs in college towns. (Source: \v{C}apek, {\it The \v{C}echs in America}. 1920)}

Sunday Jun 23

Instead of telephoning Mr. Aldrich myself, as he asked me to, I let Mila go and she said it was too amusing to hear the readiness with which he included her in his invitation to have luncheon and call on Mme. Noldi. She refused, of course, and I hope it is the last I shall hear from that source for a long time.  Mr. French called to take me to church, but so determined am I to observe the strictest propriety, that I inveigled Charlie into accompanying us. He is very nice and interesting, with a great deal of poise, but poor Charlie said he felt like the 5th wheel. Mr. French also came home with me altho' Ella was alone and I had Charlie. Well, if he can help fill the time vacated by V.D. -- and wants to -- he can.  He is much more congenial than the latter, and I will not feel so lonesome after all this gayety in the past 3 months. The Severa's were over to supper and for the evening.

Mon Jun 24

Puttered about till noon, when I donned my best bib and tucker and went down to Maillard's to meet Mrs. C.  We had a jolly little luncheon there; as she declared I looked much too gorgeous to go to Martin's.  She is looking well and is as lovable as ever, only a little more so.  I got all the gossip about the Schirmer's who have not written to her for weeks. She said that Mr. Schirmer. was probably feeling uppish from hobnobbing with impresarios and prima-donnas and being interviewed by reporters, and that she would bring him down a peg. She can be so amusing.  We went to 17th St. to sing a little but the door was locked so gave it up, and went to the depot. Geo. Eaton came rushing in at the last second and once more made a curious half irritating impression on me. It always takes a while for me to grow accustomed to him. In the evening, Duras came over, having sent me an apologetic letter in the morning. He was anxious to go for a walk but I cooly said I was tired and kept Rose and Charlie in the room that I might talk to him as little as possible.  But as he was about to leave, he asked to speak to me privately, and out in the hall he begged me that he might keep the picture.  I reserved decision, as I scarcely feel that I want him to have it.

Tues Jun 25

Had hoped to spend the day in the park with Ella but the washing had to be done, so gave it up. It's a blistering hot day and Mother and I simply worked like Trojans. Will there never be an end to this need of drudgery in our family I wonder! Had hoped Mr. French would invite me to the Poughkeepsie races but no word came, alas! Have finally commenced the "Leonardo da Vinci'' and it is a remarkable book. The translation is so beautiful, I wonder what the original must be. At 9.30, in a whimsical mood, I took my box of Metropolitan memories and made up my face. It was great fun and it is a great pity that make-up is not \`{a} la mode. We could all be beautiful then. For I really have remarkably long lashes and just because they are brown instead of black, no one will ever know it. H\'{e}las!

Wed June 26

My method of studying this summer is not to practise a note except for fifteen or twenty minutes before my lesson and it is proving very satisfactory; as my voice is growing evenere and easier each lesson. Had a short but good one with Miss Thursby.  I believe that I shall accept the "Green Acre'' offer. Tho' there is no money in it, it will save me the 25 or 30 dollars which I should have to spend for my outing elsewhere and the experience would be interesting.  Spent the whole evening writing letters - a 12 page one to Mila - the folks thought I had started my autobiography.  Bess de Bow invites me very enthusiastically to visit her at Ocean Grove [N.J.], so I shall accept.

Thurs Jun 27

Trimmed my linen hat -- and found that nothing is as easy to do as it appears. -- surely not trimming hats.  Called for Ella and we spent the aft. in the park.  Their trip of 130 odd miles to see the Poughkeep. races was scarely a success, as they did not see even one race.  And out till 3 A.M.! How I laughed! But somehow, I feel a wee bit differently toward Ella since the Aldrich luncheon! Of course, I am old enough to know my own mind, but she is much older and my faith in her judgement has been quite upset. And worst of all was her apparent acceptance of his invitation to use his apartment as a reading room.  She did not seem to see the insanity of it all. "None so blind as'' etc.  Dr. Urban, Rose and Chas joined us and we all played tennis till six.  Ella was quite impressed by Mr. French's attentions.  If she knew that we went for a walk tonight, she would faint.

Fri June 28

Had my first lesson with Mrs. C. and it was good, she said; so I am satisfied.  Oh, it is stimulating to work with her! She invited me to luncheon, where we had a delightful chat.  She told me of her rather troublous child and girlhood; I think it was that which makes her so dear and sympathetic now.  Each time I see her I love her more dearly.  We shopped all afternoon, having fun (at least I did) in spite of the terrific heat.  I put her on the train [to Mt. Kisco], and then home. Found Rose dusting madly; which made me feel guilty for having stayed away so long. But the house is so depressing when Mama is sick that I am glad to have a chance to get away. In the evening, the Urban girls called but my own particular disease of "drooping eyelids'' overcame me as usual, at 9.30. I took a nap and they almost caught me as they came in to put on their hats.  It's dreadful to get so sleepy, but "I just can't make my eyes behave'' when they get to feeling that way.

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