1st Moon - 1st day.
Deign to listen to me, an unworthy member of the graduating class of the
Woman's Anglo-Chinese College of Neuchang, for by lot I am Keeper of
Diary of the class of which I have before spoken, and now make
statement:
Firstly - That I know not how to so do and will make secret consultation
among our most Learned Teachers that they may give unto me of their
wisdom.
Lastly - That if the tongues of our Greatest Ones yield me not the so
great secret, then will I ask of Dr. Ewing that I may look upon the book
in which she writeth nightly, after the stars gleam forth.
5th day - Last night I made three journeyings - upon our Honored
President (Miss Powers), our Adorable Teacher (Miss Sterling) and our
Beloved Doctor (Miss Ewing). After diverse conversation, that they know
not whereof my visit is made, I ask of each Honorable Person the so
great question - "Of what does a diary consist?"
Our Honored President make explanation, "It is a register of
explanation, happenings or duties and is daily happenings most useful
for reference. I have kept one for years." The word duties she spake
with stress of voice. Shall I then transcribe the College hours of
hair-brushing or tooth-washing?
When to Miss Sterling I make question, her face become as the rosy dawn.
"A diary is a book of so great intimacy that the writing there in is to
be looked upon only by the eyes of him who writes - or - perhaps - one
other," she make answer with slowness.
At the once knowledge of her so great secret grow within me and I think,
"She also keepeth a diary and hath what they name in America - a Lover."
To Dr. Ewing I arrive at the last. She was seated within the Hospital
office writing in a small, black volume. Upon the outside of volume was
writ in large, golden letters, D-I-A-R-Y and beneath, in smaller forms,
Alice Ewing. All these things mine eyes beheld before I ask of her my
question.
"A Diary - why?" she make laughter as pleasant as the ripple of a
tinkling brook. "What do you know about Diaries, Moonflower?" Then came
the Matron in so great haste to beg of Dr. Ewing that she come at once
unto the bedside of Fuku. "She hath an attack," saith the Matron and was
departed.
"Remain here, Moonflower, and make speech with whoever come in," Dr.
Ewing ask of me; and I with so great gladness sit down before the table
upon which lieth the Book of the Golden Letters. For having asked my
question of all the Honorable Ones and no Honorable One having answered
in full I make resolution to look within the Book that the so great
secret of success I may at the once learn.
Many persons make entrance and departure into office. It seemeth best to
make study of Book when none are present to divert my thinkings. When
FooFoo (the Chow dog) and I are alone I make haste to open Book. Within,
the volume was writ in parts. One part days of week; other part, hours
of day. Also the writings of Dr. Ewing were of so great smallness, to
translate produced much troubles. Thereupon I make selection of one day
alone, that I may best interpret the meanings of its hours. This is
them:
From the Diary of Dr. Ewing: