24th January, 1888
Dear Diary,
I have decided I simply must forget about J, because pretending not to care about him takes so much effort, and I very nearly let something slip about him in the dormitories just now, and Clementine would be as horrified as I would be mortified. I have a Plan Of Action, but -
I will have to detail it another day, because someone Clem, what a surprise is Still. Ranting. I would try and stop her, but she started nearly a quarter of an hour ago and I confess I wasn't really listening to a word she said, so I haven't the faintest idea what to say to shut it down. That sounds quite heartless of me, but I suspect I would be more bothered for her if it weren't always about such silly things. (She might at least complain privately, so that I might hear myself think.) But then I have always been more mature than her, so I suppose I should expect no better. You know, between Clementine and Frida - she is always forlorn about not feeling like one of her family, Merlin, you would think she's special for it! - I bear quite enough whining for the world.
Of course I am perfectly patient with them, they're my dearest friends, but: oughtn't they ever realise I have important problems of my own?
Love, Jemima
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