02 September
02 September
2 September 1920
Travelling to Menton, France
A Dance at the - -
Is Life going to be all like this? thought Laura. And she lay down in bed & put her arms round the pillow and the pillow whispered "Yes - this is what Life is going to be like - only always more & more splendid, more and more marvellous!"
But supposing said Laura, speaking very fast with the greatest possible earnestness, supposing you were terrifically successful & were married to the person you adored & you had every single thing you wanted and - and your first child was just born (that's supposed to be a marvellous moment, isn't it?) would you be really happier than you are now?
They stared hard at each other a moment.
Then no, said Laurie. I simply couldn't be.
At his words Laura gave a beaming smile, a great sigh, & squeezed her brother's arm. Oh what a relief! she said. Neither could I - not possibly! Laura, Laurie. What are you doing up there. Come down at once. The Ns have arrived.
Laura stooped down & kissed her grandmother. You're by far the most beautiful girl in the room, my little precious, she whispered. As Grandma passed on, the Major and Laura suddenly turned round to catch her eye. She raised her eyebrows in a very curious astounded way, & sucked in her cheek. The old woman actually blushed. [KM Notebooks, undated]