Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/34

 CHAPTER V.

DORRIS'S JOURNAL.

December 15.

HAVE always thought it a most foolish thing to keep a journal,—a habit worthy only of a school-girl; yet here I am writing as busily in mine as though it were an act of remarkable wisdom. One thing I can say in its favor,—it is a wonderful safeguard. Having confided thoughts and feelings to this faithful friend, I long for no other confidant, and my most insane ideas are safe from discovery so long as the lock of my book remains good. It seems to me that in the future I shall be very glad to refresh my memory by reading over these pages, and perhaps to entertain my friends with extracts. I am writing with a view to that. All things considered, I must confess that my prejudice against diaries was a foolish one; I dare say I have others quite as foolish, but if time only cures me of them as effectually as it has of this, I shall be satisfied.

Many things have happened since I wrote last. Most important of all is Judith's arrival. Finding that she was to start last Monday with some friends, Alice proposed that Judith should stay at her house until we could decide upon an apartment and get settled. So Alice,