Now today I have a dilemma as I transcribe Rosemary Sutcliff‘s diary for June 17th Friday. For she names a visitor who “has lost quite a lot of their looks since I last saw them, and looks rather coarse and lumpish”. This is how I have chosen to reconcile capturing Rosemary’s closely observed, evocative comments about people, with the need to protect feelings and anonymity (although I doubt that the looks-losing person in question is reading this or will do so). Since Rosemary was not writing these diaries for publication, did not publish anything from them in her lifetime, and would not have wanted to offend anyone in theirs, this is how I have decided to do it!
Category: Rosemary Sutcliff’s Diary
Little Joan suffering with her feet and worried about her mother … (Rosemary Sutcliff Diary, 16/6/88)
June 16th Thursday. Little Joan gone off. She wasn’t all that happy this time, suffering with her feet and worried about her mother.
Rosemary Sutcliff’s household, and the extent on any one day that it was conducive to her work, was heavily dependent on the health, preoccupations and moods of her companions. Being severely physically disabled – she relied on them.
Big Joan safely arrived … (Rosemary Sutcliff Diary, 15/6/88)
June 15th Wednesday. Big Joan safely arrived. Lovely!
… Barny quiet and sleepy but no more so than he always is in hot weather (Rosemary Sutcliff Diary, 14/6/88)
June 14th Tuesday. The most glorious sunny day for the start of Ascot week. M came for the afternoon, and I took her into the sitting room for tea and to watch the second part of it on TV. (Having taped the first part for watching after supper). Thought she would never go! Barny seems quite over his bad patch. Quiet and sleepy but no more so than he always is in hot weather.
… Barny rather sleepy but quite at ease, and thoroughly enjoying his food again … (Rosemary Sutcliff Diary, 13/6/88)
June 13th Monday. Ray took Barny down for his second injection. Mr Skelton very pleased with him. He seems rather sleepy but quite at ease, and thoroughly enjoying his food again. Agnes, new chiropodist lady came to do my toes. Knows her job and seems a nice soul.
ROSEMARY SUTCLIFF (1920-92) 