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1 March 1898 — 3 Savile Row | |
Tuesday. 1st March [1898]. A very blowy morning—March coming in like a lion. Monty came upstairs to see me & upset me terribly by saying he thinks of leaving this house. I tried not to let him see how much I felt it, but I could not refrain from saying what a pity it was we cd not have made more sure we should like to live together before I made the move from Queen Anne St & before I bought this house– He said he had nothing to complain of but that he thought it was impossible to make servants pull together– Mr Herbert Thompson came to lunch & Rhuvon Guest & then they went out together to University College Museum. I had a long visit from my ex-maid Hill who had married our servant Giovanni. They had kept a lodging house in London & are now retired & living at Wimbledon. At 3 she & I walked as far as Half Moon Street & then she went to her home & I went in to see Arthur & took him one of my piping bullfinches to keep in his room as I thought it would amuse him. I remember how Henry liked to have “Jacky” the bullfinch in his room in his last illness. Jack is out of song now so I have lent Arthur “Cecco.” Nellie came for a little walk with me & I told her all my trouble about Monty & how much I felt it—she tried to cheer me & says he does not mean what he says. I walked on alone feeling very ready to cry—& in Regent St came upon Sir Arthur & Miss Birch & walked a little way with them & recovered myself by the time I got home to tea. Connie came to tea & later Nela came. Then I screwed up courage & went to Monty’s sitting room & had another talk to him & told him that if he really did leave this house I should sell it & go & live altogether at Venice– That it was no use his saying it wd be better for both of us that he should leave– It might be so for him & he had better only think of himself. Stupidly I broke down & cried wh I would have given anything not to have done—as I knew men hate tears—but I am a great crybaby & cd not help it. He begged me not to worry & said there was no hurry—or need to think of it– He might not find a flat to please him for 10 years to come—& I did all I could to appear consoled. Nelly came in to dinner abt 8.30—& we began our meal without any sign of the new butler. I asked William the footman & he said he did not know—& then explained that the man had been so strange all day he could not make him out. We called up Jane the cook—& she cd not tell me but said the man had not taken any of his meals all day or spoken to any one– I told her to ask Monty’s valet to see him & on doing so he brought out a report that the man said he was ill. I sent for Dr Lankester who came at once & said Wraight was suffering from the effects of a week’s drunkeness. He arranged with the valet to send him out of the house at once & this was done– So ends my last attempt to get a butler. | |
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