Overview
Mon Decr 29
My last of four glorious days. Took a photo (27) of Maud + self on verandah, Gertie pressing the button. Also one (28) of Maud, Mrs Herd, Alice, Gertie + John on verandah. Also (29) Maud + self reflected in drawing-room mirror – “The carry me back to Tenessee” – in a now familiar pose. At 8am Maud + Gertie drove me to the station to catch the Napier Mail at 9.30. Took a photo (30) of Maud + Gertie in trap at station + one (31) of Maud on the rly [railway] station in the crowd. A last conversation before the train moved off + then – good-bye.
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Dear little Maud – so sweet, loving + pretty. God keep her till we meet again. On the journey down, I re-read “The Upper Berth” + “By the Waters of Paradise” + ate the delicious sandwiches cut for me by my sweetheart. Mother met me at Levin station. At home I found shearing in progress. H Morgan + Gil doing the rest of the Johnson-Roland-State Farm-cull hoggarts.