January 3, 1927: “for what it was worth”

Monday 3. A beautiful day. Audrea too hoarse to go to school, her mother took her for a short walk down to the “Heights” called upon the Baldwins but she was going out so came home. Met a little girl who told them that Mrs. Johnson was very ill – had a stroke + was unconcious. Heard that Mary Brown told it + took it for what it was worth. Nevertheless Edith went right in. She had a bad feeling in her head + had gone to bed + the doctor said she had better stay there for a week + get rested. Had overdone at Christmas. Ernest came to dinner.

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Notes + Explanations:

It seems that is perfectly acceptable for Audrey to never go to school, which is in line with what she used to say about her strict grandmother preventing her from leaving the house ever.

I’m not sure who Mrs. Johnson is, but Mary Brown is in many of the childhood photos of my grandmother’s (Audrey’s) and must have been a good friend. Apparently Annie thinks this Mary Brown fibs a bit. 

I wish I could stay in bed for a week after having “overdone it at Christmas”!

Ernest is another cousin on Clarence’s side, and I believe brother to Ruth.

The “Heights” refers to the Arlington Heights development on the South side of Massachusetts Avenue. The following excerpt is from the YourArlington.com review of Arlington’s Cultural Heights: 1900-1925 by Doreen Stevens, Aimee Taberner, and Sarah Burks:

Beginning in the 1870s, two distinctive residential neighborhoods developed in the western end of Arlington. These new suburban enclaves, Arlington Heights and Crescent Hill, were both marketed as commuter-friendly, with the railroad and later streetcars providing frequent and direct access to Boston.

Arlington’s Cultural Heights describes the original goals of the founders of the two developments and highlights the lives and work of the many remarkable and gifted individuals who settled there.

The publication compiles the biographies of more than 40 men and women who lived and worked in Arlington Heights and Crescent Hill between 1900 and 1925. It is the story of Arlington’s “Cultural Heights,” a creative, middle-class community shaped by an influential assortment of reformers, educators, writers, artists, craftsmen, musicians, actors, playwrights and architects.

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Original Diary Page:

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