Fri., May 20 　Fine

My Birthday

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July 23rd, Wed. Fair, Cool weather

　　From morning we had cool breezes. I read as usual in the morning. Kingsley's "Heroes" was very interesting. My brother James is ill, but I hope he will soon get well.

(The Century Readers)

July 31st, Thurs. 　Hot and close

　　We are at last at uncle's. After the noisy town life this place is strangely quiet. It is a little Paradise. Cows, dogs, and hens are all running freely about. Many birds are singing in the woods behind the house. In the little river, found some red fish. Uncle keeps a few cows. They give fresh milk for his family. Wrote a letter to my parents tonight.

May 20

　　I put a good deal on paper yesterday, and yet not all. I was, in truth, hoping against hope, against conviction, against too conscious self-judgement. I scarcely dare own the truth now, yet it relieves my aching heart to set it down. Yes, I love him that is the dreadful fact, and I can no longer parry, evade, or deny it to myself, though to the rest of the world it can never be owned...

--Alicia's Diary Thomas Hardy