Brittain, Vera, Diary, 22 August 1915

00000298-29.jpg
Description: 
Diary of Vera Brittain

Tabs

Case Study: 
From Youth to Experience: Vera Brittain’s Work for Peace in Two World Wars
Creator: 
Brittain, Vera
Source: 
diary
Date: 
22 August 1915
Collection/Fonds: 
Contributer: 
McMaster University Libraries
Rights: 
Vera Brittain estate; McMaster University has a non-exclusive licence to publish this document.

Identifier: 
00000298-29
Language: 
eng
Type: 
image
Format: 
jpg
Transcript: 

manners is rare indeed. She said however that if he came through the war and I did marry him she expected that I should often find him very trying, and that it was quite probably she would sometimes be taking my part against him -- the woman on the woman's side. She said I had no idea how much, being a woman, she had realised & sympathised with my woman's point of view during the last few months.
All through this conversation she wept intermittently and kept dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief till it was wet, after which she borrowed mine. when she had recovered a little she subconsciously fluttered the latter about till it was dry. I could'nt help feeling all the time what an unmoved little iceberg I was. I really ought to have been the one to do all the talking, and instead of that it was she who did it.
It must have been quite 3.0, and long past the hour of the Zeppelins, we had completely forgotten, when we heard steps on the stairs & a noise in the hall, and who should walk in but his lordship, when we supposed to have gone to bed long ago. Difficult as I find it to visualize him when he is gone, I can always see him vaguely as he came into the room with his tunic crumpled and his dear eyes half-closed & very sleepy. He said in an indignant but very drowsy voice "What are you two doing?" He told us he had been to sleep on Mrs. Leighton's bed, but as Mr. Leighton was in their room I think it is quite possible that he meant mine. He asked his mother if she had been "pitching into" me and when she smiled at me & asked "Have I", I did manage to reply with a little of the enthusiasm I really felt "No, Mrs. Leighton, of course you have'nt."