A Provincial Lady visits the Lake
14th July
Five changes on journey to Lake. Robin very happy about this as he is collecting locomotive numbers. Everyone else is fed up. By the time we arrive at the station, Vicky has been sick twice. Mademoiselle has mal a la tete and has become very French. Have mal a la tete myself, but someone has to ensure all luggage has been unloaded (especially Robert's fishing rods). Robert himself gone to get car organised. Robin apparently interviewing engine driver. Vicky crying. Lake District porters, reasonably enough, do not understand French. Leave Mademoiselle to comfort Vicky. Deal with luggage and porter myself. Large family (five children and mother judging by resemblance) get out. Eldest girl (looks about fourteen) marshals them onto platform, checks luggage (rather a lot of it-things in canvas bags etc.), apportions items to the rest of the family and marches them off in less time than it takes me to ensure two children and all luggage have been dis-embarked (or whatever the word is) from the train. No wonder the mother looks so serene. Somehow find myself wishing she didn't look quite so chic too, although on covert inspection there is nothing very special about her clothes. (Mem. Must at least try to overcome tendency to envy.) Eldest girl pretty as well as practical. (Query: Why is practicality so often associated with plain looks in fiction and people's minds. Some of the most impractical people I know are rather plain.) Beseech Robin not to get caught in some esoteric bit of locomotive. Am told with the withering scorn of ten-years-old that other chaps' mothers Do Not Make Such a Fuss.
Farmhouse very much what was expected, with idyllic view of Lake. Forgive Robert immediately for choice of holiday destination. Mrs Dixon very friendly, does not seem to stop talking. The Great Local Excitement is the recent Disappearance of Miss Turner. Judging by description, would think entire district would be glad if Miss Turner Disappeared Entirely. Instead it would appear that everyone turned out to look for her, although this might be on account of a general affection for Mrs Blackett (Poor Lady) who was on a cruise for her health at the time. Local opinion appears to be that Miss Nancy seems to have managed very well despite Being a Caution – and Miss Peggy as well, of course.
Can't help wondering what it must be feel like to be "Miss Peggy as well of course" and then realise that perhaps I am an "as well, of course." Darkly suspect that is exactly how Lady B sees me. Am determined to forget Lady B for a week. Mrs. D probably glad to tell this story to someone who doesn't already Know All About It. Mr D is clearly a man of few words ("Champion" being the most used so far.) Do not feel surprised by this.
Vicky and Robin delighted with farm animals. Mademoiselle less so. Walk down to look over the lake after supper. (Have discovered that dinner signifies the midday meal here). Good view of wooded island quite close by. Tall pine tree at north end. Someone climbing it with rope attached to waist. Robin immediately filled with admiration and desire to emulate. Seized with visions of Robin stuck up tree like kitten. Worse - Robin falling from tree. Attempt to ban tree climbing. Told by Robin and Robert not to fuss. Compromise (small trees only) reached. Boy on island reaches ground before Mademoiselle succumbs to hysterics on his behalf. Walk back to farm.
There is a rowing boat that Robert may use for fishing, if it is not urgently required.
15th July
Next morning Vicky and Robin up early. Come racing in to tell me that that "That boy" is swimming around the island, that there are lots of them camping over there and can they go swimming /sailing/ camping too. Robert offers to take Robin fishing with him in the boat and points out dead calm so no sailing possible anyhow. Vicky immediately very offended. Mademoiselle is blesse on her behalf. Restrain myself from saying "encore une fois". Husband and son despatched with fishing rods in Dixon's rowing boat. Mademoiselle and Vicky set off on healthy walk. Should catch up on correspondence and serious reading without intricacies of Cook and housemaid giving notice and WI to distract me. Instead find myself gazing at view.
Vicky arrives back with three little girls (two older and one younger) to say that Dot and Bridget and Titty are going wood gathering with the others because of the calm, and they might go and see two Billies, and could she go too. Anticipate all sorts of problems with lunch (I mean dinner) and Mrs Dixon, but say I will go and ask. All go to the kitchen. Many exclamations from Mrs Dixon, hugging Dot and making enquiries about families and immediate offers to make sandwiches, production of a bag of toffees and a pork pie in a dish and is Robin going too? Look out of window and see Robin trudging despondently up field, fidgeting and fishing apparently being incompatible in Robert's opinion. Robin immediately more cheerful and eager to go too. Evidently thinks better of laughing at the strange name. Mrs Dixon tells Miss Dot to tell Miss Susan that it didn't matter about tea, but she'd like them back for supper and that there was no hurry about the dish. Miss Titty politely asks me if this leaves us on our own and would Mademoiselle and I like to come too? Only (meaningful glance at our shoes) the woods are rather steep. I glance at Mrs Dixon who tells her such rushing about is best for young folk and I politely decline.
Rest of the day is very quiet. I try not to worry. Robin and Vicky come back and say they saw the Billies who have an adder in the box and if it is find tomorrow can they go sailing with the others? Vicky adds that she is older than Bridget. Robin points out that he is older than Roger (by a few weeks, says Vicky.) Robin points out that that makes him much older than Bridget. Vicky says that Bridget used to be called Vicky but isn't now. Also, Vicky would like to wear shorts like Nancy and Peggy. Robert says no daughter of his going about dressed like that, male dress on females not suitable for any lady, however young. Robin asks again about sailing. Robert says that's all very well but do they know their business in a boat? Robin says that they are all able seamen, except of course Bridget. Robert says all very well but can they sail. Mrs. Dixon says all very good except Bridget who is young yet. Robert says "we'll see" in the tone that usually means no. Matter shelved until tomorrow. Robin and Vicky settle to sleep unusually quickly.
16th July
Lingering over a cup of tea and yesterday's crossword after breakfast when Alarmingly Competent Young Man and Frighteningly Forthright Young Lady appear, both in shorts. Expect Robert to dispprove. Instead he stands up and is all politeness. On closer inspection, this pair appear to be about fifteen or sixteen. They are about to introduce themselves when Mrs Dixon comes in with fresh pot of tea, exclamations, more toffee and another pork pie. Introductions somehow effected. John and Nancy say they thought they had better see us and check it really is alright for Vicky and Robin to come sailing, "because Susan said so". Wonder who Susan is. Nancy asks how far they can swim and John says not to worry because he will make sure they will only be in a boat with himself or Nancy in charge. They exchange glances and say "or Peggy or Susan?" Having no idea who Peggy and Susan are, do not know what to say. Look at Robert who gives this amendment his approval and says to "Send our two back when you've had enough of them". Vicky and Robyn arrive downstairs with towels and bathing costumes, looking hopeful. John returns empty pork-pie dish and Nancy sweeps them all away.
Mademoiselle mopes; Robert goes fishing in a tarn (small lake) and catches two trout which we have for midday dinner; I make splendid progress with correspondence, less so with serious reading.
Vicky and Robin arrive back tired and happy (and for a wonder not bickering.) They say is it alright for them to go tomorrow? I agree.