I heard the bell at a quarter to six and got up after a very good night. The wardress came just after I was dressed. I washed in my pail as best I could and she said “Will you empty your slops please?” which I did. Then I rolled up my bed and made the cell tidy all the time having conversations with Miss Spring in the adjoining cell. I can’t make Kathleen Brown hear. My No. is DX322.
Breakfast just arrived which consists of another lump of that horrible brown bread which latter of course I refused. I read Votes. I tried to eat some of the bread but failed. McKenzie on her way back to her cell lifted my peephole and said she could not eat her bread. To my joy, I found scratched on the bit of tin curved at one end called a knife, ”Glorious Christabel” “Courage! Brave heart. Victory is sure” “Help comes to those who work and endure.”
I should have said that before breakfast(!) a wardress came and said “Any applications.” I asked for the Governor and Doctor. I am writing this after breakfast. A wardress has just been in and removed my knife(!) This does not matter as I have my own hedger.
I can see two yards from the window and two church steeples and two little bits of road but I can’t quite make out which they are. I saw a black cat sitting in the far yard sunning itself. Lucky cat. Four Freedom Leaguers came with us but they decided to comply with the regulations under protest after seeing the Governor. I hear Mrs Garnett in the distance singing. On her way back from the lavatory she knocked at each door and yelled, “Votes for Women.”
I’ve just been out for fresh water. I knocked on Mrs DoveWilcox door but her peephole was bunged with paper. Another wardress has been to know if I wish to see the doctor. I said yes. I find that by putting my chair against the pipes under the window and standing on the back of it I can see more. I saw a lot of prisoners in brown dresses filing into what I take to be the laundry. Also prisoners carrying rubbish to the ash pit and others wheeling barrows of dirty clothes. Great excitement, I saw a horse and cart. I’ve been reading a little. I’ve read all the rules, the books in the cell are a Bible, a Prayer book, Hymns Ancient and Modern and “A Healthy Home and How to Keep it”.
I just looked out of the window again. Tremendous excitement! The four Freedom Leaguers are at exercise. I knocked on the wall and told Miss Spring. The poor wretches are wearing prison dress and walking round and round. I’m sure they must be dizzy. The Doctor came. I asked for more air. He said that as regards health there is plenty of air. We need not be afraid of our health suffering. Would we not conform to the regulations and so be allowed labour and exercise. I said, “Of course we will not.” After a short conversation on the subject he departed. He wasn’t bad but seemed rather amused. Looking out of the window again I see the Freedom Leaguers are still at it. I can just see the tops of the electric cars in the Camden Road. The Fdm Lgrs have gone now. Miss Spring says it is 10.15. How slowly time passes. I wonder what everybody is doing outside. I wish someone would come to a window opposite and signal. I have stuffed my peephole with paper. When the Doctor came the wardress pulled it out but I have put it back again. I wonder how long we are to be kept in close confinement. Those outside must be dying to know how the fight is progressing. My tie is such a comfort and inspiration to me. It is delightful to have the dear old colours to look at when the walls seem to close in. The Governor has just been, accompanied by the matron. He says he duly reported our wishes to Herbert Gladstone last night but has not yet received any reply. The position is just the same. I asked for a form of petition.
To be continued
Suffragette Diary 