Adeline Thorne is the daughter of a recently-deceased scholar whose pension and subsidized residence have expired with him, leaving her with only a tiny inheritance. Required to make her own way in life, she accepts the offer of a cousin to work at a women’s college in New York. She must reluctantly end her studies at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford and take her leave of friends and everything familiar. Despite her sadness, she is excited by the adventure and the future is starting to look bright as she heads for America…on the Titanic.
* Caught Roper wearing the most appalling painted stockings. Sets back the cause of women’s degrees 20 years!* More 2 do than hours of the day. What does it say about me as a scholar that I’d rather be reading Zuleika Dobson?* Slept 5 hrs of last 48, & not sequentially. Living on stewed tea. Hair a greasy mop. Ah, the joy of education!* Sat my final exam 2day. My FINAL final exam. Not certain of results but still more nerves about America than any exam.* 2 busy 2 think & just as well. Big trunk packed & taken away, also three boxes of books. Next I see them, we will all be in New York.* Walking from the High, saying goodbye 2 trees & stone walls. Why does everything ordinary seem so precious when you’re leaving it behind?* No idea how women dress in New York. Do I need a new hat? Or do I just want that one with the velvet pansies?* 2 cold 2 punt but didn’t care! Must whilst I can. Don’t think they have punts in America. What do they do at those Universities? 🙂* 2day, last time typing petitions for WSPU. 2nite will b cocoa party in Maude’s room. Final cocoa party. Everything today so final!* Vi Roper is engaged! 2 the Paper Baronet of all things! We all laughed, but she is so happy. I won’t b here for wedding. It all sinks in.* Kind lttr fr cousin Simon. I will be met at dock & shown city. Asks if I wld like 2 see The Pigeon. Missed it @ Royalty. World so small!* Salve Oxford. Salve St. Hilda’s. Piece of my heart left behind. Wld I b this sad were I staying in England? Father wld have known* Oh, London! Must memorize every corner with my heart! So grateful 2 Maude & the W’s 4 having me 2 stay these final weeks.* Met Maude’s brother Desmond, back from Germany. Very kind & well spoken, as she always said. Beautiful eyes & such shoulders!* All day signing papers w Mr Martens. Father’s box rcvd from safekeeping, too. Have rcvd tkt from his hands. No going back now* Rainy day looking through box. Father’s watch; their letters & dear faces. Hope Mother’s Limoges arrived safely. All that is left of home* Tea with Roper. Aglow & all talk about wedding. Wants me 2 come back 4 it. Can’t bear 2 admit I will be 2 skint. Made polite noises.* Something about voyage makes me want 2 shop. Silliness! They do have stores in NY. Still taking no chances w boots! Bought both pair.* Jermyn St 4 gift for Cuz Si. Also Mr. & Mrs. W 4 their kindness. Des such a help. Must ask Maude what he likes. Lovely noil scarf 4 her.* Maude envisions shipboard romance. Doubtful. Remember crossing 2 France? Shall likely b green the entire way.* Much buoyed. Ran into Em et al. Boston cousin took degree @ Vassar! Said fine things & is giving me lttrs of intro 2 friends nearby.* Des cinema-crazy. The Sunbeam – charming in a way, but foolish. Sez Mr Griffith a force 2 b reckoned w. Wants 2 come 2 NY to work w him* Exceptionally fine day. Will not b here for Easter so debuted new blue hat with ribbon bow & aigrette. Everyone says is quite fetching.* Maude & Des insist on accompanying me 2 Southampton. Am weak enuff 2 accept. Will b that much harder in end, but want 2 hold every minute* Tea w Jonesy & little Kate. Browsing new books @ WH Smith. Like always. Hard 2 believe am not going back up 4 Trinity, but getting excited* Restless. Must have walked 5 miles 2day. Said all goodbyes. Already feel as if gone. Am ready now for an adventure!* How to pack 4 ocean crossing? Only small case in cabin. Trunk will go below. Shld not have shopped quite so much! Mrs W kindly advising* Beautiful surprise for last nite in town. Simpsons on the Strand. Mr. W says making certain I have good English beef inside to see me off* Longest train ride. All trying so not to cry. Silly jokes & gossip. Such love for these friends. Foolish 2 hope Des may visit NY for Mr. G?* Boarding now. Will have no chance to write til arrive NY. My heart leaps at sight of boat. The future – how beautiful! Titanic! Adeline