had sat
when Frau Doktor M., was there. At first she refused, but after a while
she said: "I'll see what I can do, if you are really not happy where
you are." From 11 to 12 was the mathematic lesson, and as soon as Frau
Doktor Steiner had taken her place she said: "This arrangement of
your seats was only provisional. You had better sit more according to
height." Then she rearranged us all, and Hella and I were moved to the
5th bench on the window side; the two twins, the Ehrenfelds got our
places; in front of us is Lohr and a new girl called Friederike Hammer
whose father is a confectioner in Mariahilferstrasse. We are awfully
glad that we have got away from that hateful third bench where _she_
used so often to stand near us and lay her hand on the desk.

September 29th. Professor Fritsch, the German professor, came to-day
for the first time. He is always clearing his throat and he wears gold
spectacles. Hella thinks him _tolerably_ nice, but I don't. I'm quite
sure that I shall never get an Excellent in German again. Yesterday the
new Religion master came for the first time, and I sat alone, for Hella
being a Protestant did not attend. He looks frightfully ill and his eyes
are always lowered though he has burning black eyes. Next time I shall
sit beside Hammer which will be company for us both.

October 2nd. We had confession and communion to-day, and since the staff
will not allow us to choose our confessors, I had to go to Professor
Ruppy. I did hate it. I whispered so low that he had to tell me to speak
louder three times over. When I began about the sixth commandment he
covered his eyes with his hand. But thank goodness he did not ask any
questions about that. The only one of the staff who used to allow us to
choose our confessors was Frau Doktor M. Really, she did not allow
it directly but when one ran quickly to another confessional box, she
pretended not to notice. The Herr Rel. Prof gives frightfully long
penances; all the girls who went to him took a tremendous time to get
through. I do hope he won't be so strict over his examinations or I
shall get an Unsatisfactory; that would be awful. October 3rd. Father
was so splendid to-day! Aunt Dora must have told him that I asked
her not long ago whether Father was likely to marry Frau Riedl, whose
husband died almost exactly the same time as Mother, for Father is
guardian to her three children. She was here to-day with Willi, because
he has just begun going to scho