One, two, three, four real, live characters, that would do for a story. If Mr. Bang would only elope, or commit a murder, or flare-up in some way, I might make this into something. As it is there is too much philosophy and talk in this diary and too little action. However, Mrs. Lien’s party is coming, and with the passing of New Year’s Day society will get under way again. I wonder what Mumsie was hinting at in suggesting that I had something more for which my thanks were due to Mr. Bang. Could it be—did he inspire that notice in the newspaper—ask Mrs. Malone to insert it. Had he wished to please me he could not have done better, but then why is he inconsistent? He condemns social ambition and conceit in others. Why should he encourage it in me?
The furs are to be home to-morrow evening.
December 28th.
“I wish you all to come and see a hockey match with me to-night,” said Mr. Bang, at breakfast.
“The Maple Leafs against the Beavers?” enquired Uncle.
“Yes.”
“I don’t think I should care to go,” said Mumsie. “I must do a lot of running round this afternoon———”
“And I have some reading which I must do and which I have put off already too long, but you and Elsie go.” This from Uncle. It struck me that he was fibbing and that Mumsie would not have been too tired had she really wished to go, or had not a reason for staying away.
“I don’t think I should like to go. Hockey does not interest me,” I ventured.
“Have you ever seen a real hockey match?” Mr. Bang asked.