LUCY WESTENRA'S DIARY
Hillingham, 24 August.--I must
imitate Mina, and keep writing things down. Then we can have long talks
when we do meet. I wonder when it will be. I wish she were with me
again, for I feel so unhappy. Last night I seemed to be dreaming again
just as I was at Whitby. Perhaps it is the change of air, or getting
home again. It is all dark and horrid to me, for I can remember
nothing. But I am full of vague fear, and I feel so weak and worn out.
When Arthur came to lunch he looked quite grieved when he saw me, and I
hadn't the spirit to try to be cheerful. I wonder if I could sleep in
mother's room tonight. I shall make an excuse to try.
An interesting puzzle is the location of "Hillingham." It appears to be in Hampstead, but there are few distinguishing aspects of the house to help identify it. A line that appears in the manuscript, deleted in the published version, indicates that her mother's room was above hers, indicating a three-story house.
Posted by: Leslie S. Klinger | August 27, 2009 at 04:19 PM