Author's Preface
Tuesday, 1 May 1894
Sister Grace was wrong. I didn't bleed at all last month. I was worried about it all month. I felt terrible when it happened, and didn't want it to happen again. Maybe it was just the one time for me and I don't need to worry about it anymore. Or maybe something is wrong with me? I don't know and don't have anyone to talk to about it with Sister Grace gone. I hope not bleeding doesn't mean I'm sick. I don't feel sick.
Ryn is sick today though. He has been sneezing all day. The doctor says he has hay fever. How can he have hay fever? He hasn't been away from Saint Nicholas for over a week and there isn't any hay in here. The doctor says he will be better in a few days and not to worry. I don't think the doctor knows what he is talking about. How does hay give a fever anyway? Ryn was sneezy last spring and the year before and recovered so I'm sure he will be fine.
I found a new book in the library today. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. I can't wait to read more about this expedition to find a giant narwhal. I dare not read it too late though. I had strange dreams after reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland late at night, and again when reading about Queen Mary. I'd hate to dream about being stuck on a ship and being attacked by a giant sea monster.
I suppose that would be better than dreaming about the fire again at least. I'd rather hope for no dreams at all though.
Friday, 4 May 1894
I guess it just took longer than Sister Grace said and I do still have to become a lady. I don't mind I guess, I just wish it wasn't so uncomfortable and embarrassing. Ryn is lucky not to have to deal with such things. He doesn't, does he? He hasn't said anything about it if he does. But I haven't said anything to him about mine. It would be too embarrassing to talk to my brother about. Maybe he has problems and just doesn't want to tell me.
I've been reading more of that book. This story keeps getting more and more interesting. Imagine, a boat under the water! It would be frightening enough to be trapped on a boat on the water, but to be trapped underneath it would be even worse. But the possibilities! To be able to travel through the depths of the seas as easily as across the land. I would never be able to do it, being trapped in a small ship with nowhere to go to escape the others on board. I do like reading about the adventures though. It would be amazing to be able to read about real discoveries people made and not just stories.
I looked through the library some more after I finished a chapter today and found some other books by Jules Verne. I'm going to read those when I finish this one.