Blanche Yurka's '07 Blog

My Daily Entries This Week

Sat Jun 29

There was no cleaning to do, which made it seem a curious Saturday. I spent most of the day at the library, reading magazines, and "summer'' love stories. It is curious how one is willing to deliberately sit and read those things when he knows that dozens of authors infinitely more worth while are within arm's length. But it is equally curious to realize how I have developed my conscience to such a state that I cannot do a frivolous, unnecessary act, without having such moral twinges as to rob my frivolity of all pleasures.  But this summer I shall overcome that! I shall do what I please when I please and learn to enjoy doing so.  Leopold was away tonight so the rehearsal was short and inconsequential. Once more he seemed very remarkable by comparison with a substitute. If only he were not as conscious of his own charms and abilities.  T'is a great pity, for in that respect he is like Geraldine Farrar -- if he were not so cock-sure of himself, he would be irresistible! And perhaps in that case neither of them would be where they are!

Sun June 30

Poor Madre! she still shakes each morning. as tho' she had palsy! If it were not that she braces up so beautifully at times, I should feel that she will never get well again.  Mr French had an invitation for Ella and me from a friend of his (mari\'{e}e) who had never met us! Ella accepted and the invitation then hinged upon my consent. I said I would ask permission (altho' my mind was already made up) and at four o'clock I telephoned both my views and Mila's on the subject of invitations to young girls from married men. I felt it was a good chance to make myself clear on that point with him, and it was so much easier to say it on a telephone than face to face. I'm a bit of a coward myself.

Mon Jul 1

A painful morning in the dental chair with Charlie. But he works very well and it saves me a great expense to have him do the work.  I like the friendly attitude which his professors take towards him. And I am confident that he will have much success -- financially -- Well it's time someone in the family did something in that line!  I who think in 1000's, seem to be “following Father's footsteps” But when I thought of all I saved today by not having Dr. Urban do the work, I grew reckless -- and treated Charlie to a Riker's sondae!  Am also treading the reckless path of ease in using my time, for I napped from 2 to 6. My conscious still has twinges, but less sharp, so I am hopeful, that I shall be quite care-free before the summer is over.

Tues July 2

Had a dear note from Mrs. C, asking me to come to Kisco this evening, so Rose and I washed fiercely till noon, when the clothes were all out.  My life is one in which the scene changes abruptly.  Who, on seeing me drive from the station at 6 in a smart trap would guess that at ten that morning, I had been standing over a wash-tub?  I certainly tread the depths and the heights! and enjoy the one as well as the other!  It was fiendishly hot in the train, but at Mt. Kisco, as cool as could be desired.  They have Miss Leonard's little "doll's house'' this summer, and of all the charming places!  We had dinner served out in the open air, with the charming old-fashioned garden spread out before us.  It rained slightly during the evening, so we went in to the charming little chintz covered drawing room and Mr Collins read Bernard Shaw's "Philanderers'' to us.  Suddenly at 10:45, we heard four pistol shots out in the road, then awful groans, and then -- dead silence.  It was a black night so we wouldn't let Mr. C. go out to investigate.  He telephoned to the police, who said they would come, but we were up till 12 and no one appeared.

Wed July 3

Mr C. was out to seek the corpse, but nothing was to be seen. Leonards jollied about it -- saying it was fire works, but firecrackers don't groan.  Mrs. C and I are firm in the belief that it was dragged into the woods and hidden.  But we shall forget it, as no one seems to take it seriously.  Spent a lovely morning roaming about the place.  They are such a charming couple.  After luncheon Mr. C. finished "Philanderers'' -- Bernard Shaw is too absurd! but so clever.  Then we went up the hill behind the house where the view of the rolling hills is beautiful, and then he read "You never can tell'' to us. It amused us tremendously and he reads very well.  I am so glad that he is going into business, as it will make him seem more manly, and and he is too nice to be a parasite.  After dinner the Kisco minister called, a nice looking chap, who might be the "Little Minister'' in appearance.  The murder didn't seem to upset him at all, as, he said, if the Italians continue shooting one another like that, by and by they will kill one another off.

Thurs July 4

Awoke early, and stole down to get the play, as I knew I would not have time to read that morning.  Finished it before breakfast and it is remarkable for its originality. After "we gathered a great many flowers for me to take to town.'' They are lovely!  Mr. C. found a large turtle in the daisy-field and a wee little field mouse came out to nibble some crumbs and wasn't at all afraid. Ah it is such a beautiful place.  I just hated to leave. And tho' I went out for a lesson, we did not sing a note! It was too lovely to work! Came in at 12.30 as my train was late and I had to give up Millie's lesson. At 1.30 we were off again for our 4th of July picnic. We all went over to the Palisades where we found a lovely spot. We could see the length of Mahattan Island almost and the river was like a sheet of glass. Supper was great fun; everyone ate too much, for it all tasted so good.  We sat on the rocks till 10 watching the rockets shoot up all over the city. Duras sent me a lovely 4th of July box of candy so I was as nice as I could well be, but it seems that I snubbed him unmercifully coming home, which was quite unintentional. Novotny was in great spirits all day and amused us all, and the Mokrej\v{s}es are simply charming, so sympathetic! My enemy arrived in the course of the evening, so I was glad to get home. I had such fun making Novotny believe that I walked all the way to the ferry with one shoe on.  He was so sympathetic!

Fri Jul 5

Felt quite "all in'' after all this gayety and should have prefered staying home all day but Mrs. C. came in to give me a lesson at 11. She felt "punk'' and so did I. So we just went over a lot of English songs for Green Acre. I sat with her at lunch, for I did not want her to buy luncheon for me when I was going right home. She told me of a most wonderful little friend of hers, a Roumanian aristocrat - Marietta, who gave up 2 millions which she would have inherited, in order to become a singer - and now - she is not even fulfilling her ambition, for she has unfortunately fallen in love with some famous man (name a secret), who loves her, but is already encumbered with a wife.  Her remarkable girlhood was similar to "A Lady of Quality's.'' Mrs. C. must have had some interesting friends in Paris. Rested all afternoon.  In the evening Mr. French called, and we spent a quiet evening at home, instead of going for a walk.

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