It seemed to me a very short period before it was time for me to go back to Drury Lane for the real London season. Spring had come and Mapleson was ready to make a record opera season; so we said good-bye to our friends in Paris and turned once more toward England.
CHAPTER XVI
FELLOW-ARTISTS
MY mother's diary reads as follows:
March 25 Left Paris for London accompanied by Arditi and Mr. Jarrett. Came by Dover and Calais. Very sick. Had a band on the boat to entice the passengers into the idea that everything was lovely and there is no such thing as seasickness. Arrived in London at ten minutes before six.
28. Went out house-hunting. Rooms too small.
29. House-hunting. Dirty houses. A vast difference between American and English housekeeping. Couldn't stand it. Visited ten. Col. Chandler came in the evening. Miss Jarrett went with us.
30. Went again. Saw a highfalutin Lady who said she wanted to get a fancy price for her house. Couldn't see it.
April 1st. Miss Jarrett, Lou and I started again and had about given up the ship when Louise discovered a house with "to let" on it. So we ventured in without cards. Lovely! Neat and nice. Beautiful large garden, lawn, etc. We were taken to see the Agent who had it in charge. When we got outside we 3 embraced each other and I screamed with joy. She (the Landlady) was the first to have a house "to let" that was not painted and powdered an inch thick.
2. Rehearsal of Traviata for the 4th. Three hours long. Bettini, Santley, Poley and "Miss Kellogg."