page 259 — July 1943

Free after tea, up Penpol with RJC and back—oppressive, disturbing evening. … zol zem

July

Thursday 1^st

Better weather again—good enough to do Fraunhoffer lines [dark lines in the sun’s spectrum] outside with the wavelength spectrometer, anyhow. I have managed to keep my resolution of working hard this week. Another year of working to a crescendo before I can stop. I am taking school exams fairly seriously too. … zwr zsa zsw zex

English prep was to write a description of a building. After reading Hardy’s magnificent descriptions in ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’, I wrote one of Glatting which made me feel quite homesick. Must improve writing. zwt zbn

Friday 2^nd

More perfect weather. Hard work. Discussion of [Oxford scholarship] syllabi in Biology; not too encouraging and possibility of having to take it in MARCH! I hereby make a solemn resolution to work to the utmost of my ability, and if, through lack of application or refusal or failure to utilise my natural talents I fail to obtain my scholarship, may I simmer in hell for eternity; may the word ‘scholarship’ become engraved on my corneas that I may never forget to work hard. Etc. … zwr zex zca zsw

Sunday 4^th

… I dived, swam 60 yds. breast in 50 secs., did 50 yds. on my back with my arms folded, did 175 yds. in under 4 mins. and so became —with six out of about 18 others—a 2^nd Class swimmer. zsp

After lunch discontent fell upon me; I walked and biked aimlessly, and then tried to drug myself with sad and angry music—but didn’t feel a lot better. zem zwk zcy zmu