When You Were Absent

41

for we could move it about wherever we wished. Some days, when the flies were swarming and sticking to everything, we came in the room, for a mosquito net had been rigged across the door and our windows were screened. The babe picked at rice grains and enjoyed the lettuce water. Frequently we had only a green or lettuce stewed in water for our "soup." The children all liked the water, though it was practically tasteless. Marguerite gave them each a cup she had brought with her. These were broken before we left the camp. Ma Si Fu had brought their silver mugs. They had sardine tins for plates and silver mugs for cups. I had a cold cream glass jar for a cup, and sometimes a jam tin. We bequeathed the glass and tins to the needy when we left, but kept the sardine and cheese tins for souvenirs, and also a Klim tin on which George had put a mirror stand for a handle. My husband had this electroplated for me in Durban, and it makes a handsome flower holder. The baby was put in a tin tub belonging to a lady in the bungalow and which had been standing in the sun to heat the water. He enjoyed a good splash and frequently was cared for by Mr. Wheeler, one of the police who had a baby about Van Dyke's age whom he had never seen. Van Dyke and Wheeler were great pals. In fact poor Wheeler never had a minute's peace if he came near Van Dyke! Time for knitting or crocheting old wool, reading to the children and cleaning pans, etc., etc. Second boiling of hot water. Van Dyke to be taken up and given a sun bath. Celene and Clyde bathed in water warmed by the sun. Van Dyke fed, napkins taken in and a new lot put out. Supper of rice and half a ladle of soup. Children put to bed, evening prayers and stories. Gathering on the lawn for gossip, or play of one sort or another. I frequently fell asleep before the children. I felt drugged and unable to keep my eyes open.

12:00

12:30p.m. Van Dyke was fed and put in his basket. 1:00p.m.

3:00p.m.

5:00p.m.

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