Edmund Bertram's Diary Read Free

other letters, ’ I told her, ‘and, as your uncle wil frank it, it wil cost Wil iam nothing.’
    The idea of my father franking it frightened her, as though such an august personage should not be expected to help her, but I reassured her and at last she was easy.
    ‘Now, let us begin,’ I said.
    I ruled the lines for her and then sat by her whilst she wrote her letter. I believe that no brother can have ever received a better one, for although it was not always rightly spelt, it was written with great feeling.
    When she had finished, I added my best wishes to her letter and enclosed half a guinea under the seal for her brother. The look of gratitude she turned on me was enough to reward me ten times over for my smal trouble, and I began to feel that she was a very sweet little thing, with an affectionate heart. I took some trouble to talk to her and discovered that she had a strong desire of doing right, as wel as an awe of Maria and Julia.
    ‘You must not be afraid of them,’ I said to her. ‘They are only further ahead than you because they have had a governess, whilst you have not, but life is not al French and geography, you know. It is fun and games as wel . You must remember to play with my sisters, and to enjoy yourself. We al of us want you to be happy, and you wil oblige us greatly if you can manage it. Wil you try?’
    She nodded timidly.
    ‘Good.’ I saw my sisters on the lawn. ‘Look! They are out in the garden. The sun is shining, it is a beautiful day. You should go out and join them.’
    She dried the last of her tears, looked at me for reassurance, then slipped off her chair and went over to the door. She turned back, and when she saw that I was watching her kindly, she smiled and waved, then ran outside. I saw her emerge on to the lawn and approach Maria and Julia. Maria looked about to rebuff her but when she saw me watching she held out her hand to Fanny. Fanny went to her shyly, and before long the three of them were playing together. I thought she might like some books to read when she returned to her room, so I chose some from the library for her, and then I walked over to John Saddlers to see about some new harness for Oberon.
    Friday 15 August
    Tom and I went into town this morning. I had some commissions to undertake for Mama and Aunt Norris, and some books to buy for myself, whilst Tom wanted to look at another horse.
    ‘Not to persuade Papa to buy, just to look at,’ he told me.
    We met at the inn for luncheon and he refused to tel me about his parcels, but when we returned home, al was made clear. After dinner, he gave a new shawl each to Maria, Julia and Fanny, with al the liberality of a future baronet. Maria wished hers had been blue, and Julia coveted Maria’s, which, however much she said she disliked it, she would not exchange, whilst Fanny was too overcome to speak. When she could at last thank him, she stumbled over her words and then went bright red, before escaping to the nursery with her treasure.
    ‘She is a funny little thing,’ said Tom, as the door closed behind her.
    ‘She seems a pleasant child,’ said Mama, stroking Pug behind the ears and adding, ‘does she not, Pug?’
    ‘She is prodigiously stupid,’ said Maria complacently. ‘Only think, she cannot put the map of Europe together. Did you ever hear anything so stupid?’
    Aunt Norris shook her head.
    ‘My dear, it is very bad, but you must not expect everybody to be as forward and quick at learning as yourself.’
    ‘Hah!’ said Tom, but Maria ignored him.
    ‘I am sure I should be ashamed of myself to know so little, ’ said Julia. ‘I cannot remember the time when I did not know a great deal that she has not the least notion of yet. How long ago it is, Aunt, since we used to repeat the chronological order of the kings of England, with the dates of their accession, and most of the principal events of their reigns!’
    ‘Very true indeed, my dears, but you are blessed with wonderful memories, and your