_November._
The Dowager Empress came to Kiev to-day to visit a convent that she has
under her protection. The Christiatick was very animated, with curious
crowds lining the sidewalks and fierce-looking gendarmes who snapped
their whips and made a great fuss about keeping the people in order. The
trams were stopped and officials rushed up and down the Christiatick in
huge gray automobiles. It was bitterly cold, and the waiting people grew
restless. At last a feeble cheer started up the street and swept down
the lines as a big car came tearing down the middle of the street. I
caught a glimpse of an elderly woman in black--that was all.
I went home. All the way up the hill I walked beside a "crocodile." How
pathetic those convent children are in their funny little round hats,
all so much too small, and their maroon-colored dresses with the
shoulder-capes to hide any suggestion of sex. Their noses were pinched
and their lips were blue from waiting in the cold to see their
"protector." They were at the age "between hay and grass,"
narrow-chested, and long-legged like colts. They climbed the hill
stiffly two by two, their eyes looking meekly at the ground. Three
sisters kept them in line.
At home I found a summons from the police to appear with Marie at the
local police bureau to-morrow at nine, to receive our passports. I
telegraphed Peter through Mr. Douglas. Now that our affair is settled, I
feel no emotion--neither relief nor joy.