The World is but a broken toy. My servant, Leila, at least remains loyal. I sense the seeds of rebellion in most of my subjects. The one called "Betsy" leads an open rebellion unceasingly. Just a few days ago those girls Emma and illyee came to try to steal my belongings. Little illyee is nice, she just sits and stares. I am rather fond of her. I will leave you with a song that I learned in early infancy from the Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece, "Princess Ida". It perfectly expresses my feelings.

"The World is but a broken toy,

It's pleasures hollow, false it's joy.

Unreal it's loveliest hue, alas!

It's pains alone are true, alas!

It's pains alone are true."

  I have been camping. It was cold in the mornings but I had a good time. My nieces were sometimes hard to get along with. About a hundred times a day I told Leila that Emma was a bad boy. She just laughed.

  I learned one valuable item from the experience. Whenever something bad happens, I can blame it on Emma. It doesn't matter that I haven't seen her for a week. There's a bump on my head right now that I'm sure is her fault. It's nice to have someone to blame.

                             catching bubbles

p.s. Why does Shiloh call me Marshy?