When Will This Cruel War Be Over? by Barry Denenberg

Author:Barry Denenberg [Denenberg, Barry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-545-41502-6
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 1996-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

The newspapers are filled with woeful reports

Saturday, August 6, 1864

So much of what is me comes from Mother. Just reading again reminds me of that. Everyone always knew that the best gift to give Mother was a book. One of my lasting images is of Mother peacefully reading her book in the parlor while Father read his papers or played dominoes with Brother Cole.

Like Mother, I too would read during those long, serene evenings. I hope I am thought of like Mother when I have my own family.

This morning I rose at first light, eager to continue the story of Jane Eyre. I feel so badly for her — she seems so lonely, with little to raise her spirits — yet she bears up so well. I have a growing respect for her perseverance in the face of grave adversity.

However, I am trying not to spend too much time reading in my room, as I think it worries Aunt Caroline, who has enough to do taking care of Baby Elizabeth and keeping a watchful eye on Cousin Rachel.

Sunday, August 7, 1864

There are nothing but Negroes all around us. All the men, except, of course, Mr. Garlington and Doctor Harris, have gone off to war.

Mr. Garlington thinks our Negroes are spoiled, but I think they just have good manners. Maybe it is merely an act and I am being fooled — that is what Cousin Rachel thinks — but I am afraid she always sees the worst in people.

Spent a good portion of the day tending to the horses, who, I fear, have been neglected. Falla’s colt is growing quite steadily.

Monday, August 8, 1864

I spent a quiet day reading in my room. Aunt Caroline is in the parlor, and I have not seen Cousin Rachel.

Robert Broyles has disappeared. His mother thinks he may have headed south, but no one knows.

Tuesday, August 9, 1864

I am not recording all the rumors that are about. The newspapers are filled with woeful reports.

Wednesday, August 10, 1864

Last night I stayed up very late reading Jane Eyre; although tired, I could not wait to see what the next chapter would bring. Her life, like my own, seems to become more complicated with every turn in the road.

Spent a quiet day sewing shirts with Dolphy, who delights in my progress with needle and thread.

Another week — not a word from Tally.

Friday, August 12, 1864

After breakfast I fixed my hair. It has been such a long time since I did that — I honestly cannot remember when I have spent that much time before the mirror. I fixed it the way Aunt Caroline fixes hers. I plaited it down my back and have worn it that way all day.

I am happy my hair is long.

At dusk I went to the garden and gathered some sweet-smelling roses.

As Jane Eyre says, “Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.”

Sunday, August 14, 1864

Aunt Caroline has suggested that she and Cousin Rachel play together. Cousin Rachel has not played her f lute since she arrived, although I know she brought it with her.

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