January
26, 1776
Dear Diary,
Today was a very slow day. Last
night I dreamed of the ball. The moonlight revealed through the shaped walls.
Couples dancing about, with dresses laced with gold. I was so happy in my dream
I forgot to wake up! Mother had to come in and wake me. And boy she was not
happy about that. We did not have food for breakfast, so I had to add shopping
onto my chores for today. I braided my hair into two long braids, using string
to tie them at the ends, and put my dress on. The one with a blue ribbon around
the waist. Mother had gotten it for me a few years ago, but it was my only
dress.
Elsa was especially happy this
morning. I guess she had had good dreams too. She played with Ann, her doll,
who was now held together with a corn husk.
After I got Elsa ready, I
grabbed my woven basket and headed to the market. I said hello to Marty the
baker, and picked out a small loaf of bread for the week. Marty is a very nice
man. He gave the bread to me for no charge. I guess he had heard about Nina.
My sister Nina was nine years
old when she caught the Black Death. It is a plague that has been going around
town. When she fell ill, my mother spent all our savings trying to save her.
That was last Tuesday. Mother had kept quiet about it, but I guess word had
gotten around. I thanked Marty, choose a few apples and oranges from Penny, a
farmer, and headed home.
Tommy ran out to me as I
arrived. He tugged on my shirt and told me that Mother had gone to work.
I fixed them some lunch, and
went to tidy the house. Which wasn’t very hard. A three room house is not very
big. I finished my book and took a nap. I woke up to a crash. Elsa and Tommy had
been playing and knocked some old china over. I was so dead. I cleaned the mess up, and
tried to piece it back together, but it was no use. I sent them to the room we
all shared. When mother got home I told her what had happened. I felt terrible
about it. Her face showed everything. I could do nothing to change what had
happened. My dreams had been overthrown by my guilt. I carried myself, supper
less, to my room, where Elsa and Tommy were already asleep. I slipped into the
bed and looked out the window. Carriages passed, the horses’ trot echoing on the
walls. Party goers returning from the ball. Sigh.
January 26, 1776
Dear Diary,
Today
was a wonderful day! The ball is tonight. Maybe I will find my prince charming.
When Mira, our maid, woke me up, I could just feel the sun, shining through my
curtains. I was so reluctant to get out of my warm, comfy bed, but Mira
insisted. I changed out of my night gown, and into a loose skirt and a blouse.
I added a jacket for the cold January air.
Breakfast
was delightful. Laura and the rest of the cooks made biscuits with a lovely jam
on the side. Father talked about the ball, telling mother and I about all the young
gentlemen that were attending.
After
breakfast I headed to town. The merchants were yelling out their sales, trying
to top each other. Girls from lower class families scavenged the market,
swiping apples and pears. I saw one girl steal a whole loaf of bread. The nerve
of some people! Her hair was in tangles, and her dress was a few sized to
small. Not that there was much to see. Her frail body looked like it could snap
just like that. I had gained a few pounds recently, so mother had me put on a
diet.
When
I returned home Laura had made lunch, but I was too excited to eat. The ball
was only a couple hours away! I sat down
to do my makeup while Mira did my hair. A lovely bun. Mother had gotten my
dress last week. It had pink bows at the ends, and puffed sleeves.
After
what felt like forever, our carriage arrived. The chauffeur helped me up. The
ride was bumpy, but at the sight of the ballroom all my sickness was washed
away.
The
ball was marvelous. Young lads danced around, escorting ladies to the dance
floor. I danced, and danced, and danced. Father would be so happy. Afterwards I
hopped back onto the carriage and left the glorious ball behind me. The sky was
dark, but a thousand little stars lit the pathway. A beautiful view. Sigh.
