then Elwira,
the tall cousin, danced the czardas with Lajos, it was wonderful. I've
never known such a birthday party as yesterday's. It's only possible in
winter; you can never have anything like it on my birthday, July 30th,
for the people one is fondest of are never all together at that time.
Really no one ought to have a birthday in the holiday months, but always
sometime between the end of September and June. I do wish I were 14, I
simply can't wait. Hella's mother said to Hella, You are not a child any
longer, but a grown-up; I do wish I were too!!!

February 16th. We have a new schoolfellow. All the girls and all the
staff are delighted with her. She is so small she might be only 10, but
awfully pretty. She has brown curls (Hella says foxy red, but I don't
agree) hanging down to her shoulders, large brown eyes, a lovely mouth,
and a complexion like milk and roses. She is the daughter of a bank
manager in Hamburg; he shot himself, I don't know why. Of course she is
in mourning and it suits her wonderfully. She has a strong North German
accent. Frau Doktor Fuchs is simply infatuated with her and the head is
awfully fond of her too.

February 19th. Hella and I walked home to-day with Anneliese. She is
called Anneliese von Zerkwitz. Her mother has been so frightfully
upset by her father's death that she'll probably have to be sent to a
sanatorium; that is why Anneliese has come to Vienna to stay with her
uncle. He is a professor and they live in Wiedner Hauptstrasse. Dora
thinks her charming too, the whole school is in love with her, she is
going to gym. with us; I am so glad. Of course she won't stand near
Hella and me because she's so small; but we can always keep an eye on
her, show her everything, and help her with the apparatus. Hella is a
trifle jealous and says: "It seems to me that Anneliese has quite taken
my place in your affections." I said that was not a bit true, but did
she not think Anneliese awfully loveable? "Yes," said Hella, "but one
must not neglect old friends on that account." "I certainly shan't do
anything of the kind; but Anneliese really needs some one who will show
her everything and explain everything." Besides, the head mistress and
Frau Doktor M. placed her in front of me and said to us: "Give her a
helping hand."

February 20th. It's such a pity that I can't ask Anneliese here, for
Mother has been in bed for the last week. But she is going to Hella's
on Sunday, and since I am going