Friday, May 31, 1929

We started out at the early hour of six fifteen, the earliest yet. We got into Albuquerque before seven. After breakfast Pop took the car to be fixed, washed, oiled and to have the crank case drained. They said it would be ten before it would be ready so we started out to spend the time. First we went to a ten cent to dollar store to get some presents for Sleepy and some things for June as tomorrow is her birthday. From there we went to the Post Office, then we went around to the Indian House at the station. June and I each got a piece of Indian rug. On the way back to the garage we stopped to do some more little shopping. It was finally ten thirty before we left there. We had lunch at Santa Fe. That certainly is a funny town. It’s next to the oldest in the US and the streets are about as narrow as those in the Walled City in Manila. It got cloudy again this afternoon and we had showers. About four thirty we almost had a serious accident. We almost turned over because of a soft shoulder but we got stuck in the mud at the side of the road instead. We went thru two rather deep fords and Mom & June were scared to death. At Wagon Mound tonight, another little dump!

Jane’s Notes: Santa Fe is east on Route 66 and then they turn north on present day I-25 to Wagon Mound.

Thursday, May 30, 1929

It wasn’t so early this morning when we got up. It was about seven. We left the Rees Cafe about eight o’clock for the Petrified Forests. We spent about two hours and a half wandering around on the terribly bumpy hilly roads of the cut off. The forests are really very interesting and the wood is beautiful when it is polished. From all along the road almost until we got to Gallup we could see the painted desert. It certainly was gorgeous. We had lunch at Gallup. All afternoon we continued to travel thru queer beautiful formations of rock and cliffs. A little while out of Gallup it started to sprinkle. From then on we had showers at intervals all afternoon. It seems queer that we had to come all the way to dry New Mexico for our first rain on US soil. We wanted to get to Albuquerque tonight but because of missing a road, helping some people with a flat and having our first flat ourselves we couldn’t make it. So we’re putting up at a little dump about twenty miles from there. It’s raining cats.

Jane’s Notes: I-40 is also now US Route 66 in New Mexico.

Wednesday, May 29, 1929

It certainly was cold last night because there wasn’t any heat in the cabins. This morning I nearly froze getting dressed. After breakfast we got all packed up and went for a ride along the rim of the Canyon to Desert View Point where we could see the Painted Desert. When we got back it was eleven and we started right out for Williams. We got there at a quarter to one. We had lunch there. It was about two when we left there for Holbrook. We drove along scenic desert all afternoon and part of the time we could see the painted desert in the distance. We didn’t make a single stop for one hundred miles. Then we stopped for refreshments and gas. It was just six when we got into Holbrook. We registered at Hotel Holbrook and went up to our rooms to freshen up before supper. We had supper at “The Green Lantern Tea Room”. After supper we went over to an Indian Curio Store and Pop bought June and I each an Indian bracelet. And so to bed at nine.

Jane’s Notes: Now they are traveling East along present day I-40.

Tuesday, May 28, 1929

We got up at seven thirty this morning. It was so cold last night there were icicles hanging from an outside faucet at the Auto Camp. It was nine thirty by the time we left Williams for the Grand Canyon. We rode for two hours over a bumpy dirty road before we got to the gate of the National Park. It was just eleven thirty when we got our first view of the canyon. There is no use trying to describe it. We just stood and looked for awhile, then I took some pictures. Then we got our cottage on the Canyon Rim and went to lunch. After lunch we went for a ride along the rim. We got back at about three thirty, then we went to look over the things in the Hopi House. We came out and watched the people coming up along the trail from the bottom. I met a very nice young Dutch man who was seeing America. At five thirty we saw some Indian dances in front of the Hopi House. At six I went after the pictures I had taken to be developed and they came out beautifully. We had supper about seven fifteen. After supper we went and bought some big pictures for souvenirs. To bed at nine o’clock.

Jane's Notes: LIttle did she know that 16 years later she'd have a little girl named Janie born on this day.

Monday, May 27, 1929

It was the earliest yet this morning when we started - 6:25. That was even before we had breakfast except for some fruit for June and I and coffee for Mom and Pop. About an hour out we hit pavement and we got into Phoenix at eight thirty where we had breakfast. At Phoenix we got bumped in the back and bent the trunk rack again but nothing very bad. A little while out of Phoenix we hit dirt road again. We continued thru desert until after lunch which we had at Prescott at about one thirty. A little while before lunch we began to go up and the hills began to get grander. All afternoon we’ve been traveling thru beautiful green country with little trees at first and finally just before we stopped we encountered trees big enough for lumbering and that were being used. We are stopping at a De Luxe Auto Camp at Williams just sixty three miles from the Grand Canyon which we will see tomorrow. We stopped at four forty today. Early start, early stop.

Jane’s Notes: Prescott is North of Phoenix. They seem to be following highway 89 towards the Grand Canyon. Williams is on highway 64 which leads into Grand Canyon National Park.

Sunday, May 26 1929

We left San Diego at seven thirty. About thirty miles out we struck the desert and we’ve been on it ever since. First we went thru rocky hills that looked like great huge heaps of stones. We came out to sage brush and then we got into the mountains of sand. Clean sand. But we were still on paved road. Just after we left the town we hit dirt road and we couldn’t make very good road. We had hoped to get to Phoenix to night but the road was so bad that we only got to Gila Bend, a little one horse town in the middle of the desert. After we left the sand the land got greener until we got to El Centro. After that we had sage brush all the way. We stopped at El Centro for ice cream and had lunch at Yuma. We got to Gila Bend at six thirty by our time but we hadn’t considered that this was rocky mountain time and that we were an hour behind so it was nearly seven thirty. I’m getting terribly fat and I’ll have to cut down on my eating.

Jane's Notes: From the map they seem to be following the route of today's I-8. Gila Bend is near Sonoran Desert Nat'l Monument.

Thursday, May 23, 1929

We started out at the usual time this morning from North Hollywood. We said good bye to the Rathburns and then went into Los Angeles to have the last look over. After leaving there we went to Pasadena to say good by to Eleanor and fix up the last money matters. We had lunch at a little cafe and it was about two when we finally started for Redlands. We just rode slowly along until we got there. We saw miles and miles of trees bearing oranges. It was beautiful and it smelled heavenly. We were met at the door of their house by Dr and Mrs. Hart. Old friends of the family who we are visiting here today. We visited and saw the garden until we went to dinner to a little inn not far away. After dinner we took quite a while and they surprised Mom by taking her to see an old childhood friend of hers. It was about ten thirty by the time we got home.


Jane's Notes: Mom didn't write anything on Friday and Saturday, so we'll pick up the story on Sunday, May 26, 1929. For two days they must have continued sight seeing around LA because by Sunday morning they are in San Diego.

Wednesday, May 22, 1929

Again we spent most of the day in Los Angeles. We started soon after breakfast for Pasadena to Mrs. Williams to see Eleanor. Eleanor seemed well and happy but she wanted to come with us. We stayed there until about a quarter after ten. Eleanor didn’t want us to go without her so Mrs. Williams took her for a ride while we left. We wandered around looking in shop windows and visiting stores until lunch time. We had it at the Roseland Hotel. After lunch Mom and Pop went with Mrs. Williams to see a Doctor about Eleanor. The Rathburns took June and I to see a dress factory. Most interesting thing. They can cut out three hundred dresses at once. From there we went to Beverly Hills to see the beautiful homes of movie stars. We rode until four thirty and then came home. I changed my dress and wrote a long letter to Helen before supper. After supper we looked at pictures and listened to the radio. To bed at ten thirty.

Tuesday, May 21, 1929

This day started fairly early because it was to be spent in town and it takes forty five minutes to get in. The Rathburus live in North Hollywood. We had a lovely breakfast and started for town about eight o’clock. We first went to the Automobile Club of Southern California. We looked over the building while we waited for the men. (We is Mrs. Rathburus, Miss Rathburus, Mom, June and me). Later we went to the Exposition Buildings. We saw quite a few wonderful sights. I only wish I had time to see it all thoroughly. We had lunch at a  cafeteria and then went to see “Broadway Melody” at the Chinese Theatre. The most beautiful place and most wonderful prologue. It was an afternoon well spent. We had supper at six but we didn’t talk late tonight. There are so many beautiful buildings in Hollywood and such heavenly homes. But the scenery can’t sneeze at Oregon scenery. Oh! I hope I can make it my home.

Jane's Notes: And she did!!

Monday, May 20, 1929

We didn’t have far to go this morning so we didn’t have to get up so early. It was about eight thirty when we got started. I expected Fresno to be a hot place but it was very cool this morning. All morning we drove thru farm lands. Orchards, vineyards, and gardens all over the place. For lunch we stopped at a little cafe in Bakersfield. Soon after lunch we started to climb the mountains before Los Angeles. It was a beautiful drive and beautiful wide roads. While we’re in Los Angeles this time we’re staying at the Rathburus who are cousins of Mom’s. We got to their house about five thirty. The father of the family is Mom’s cousin. He has a darling wife and three kids. A girl and boy twins and a seventeen year old son. The boy twin is married and the father has a maiden sister and they have a cousin. They were all there for supper so It made quite a family gathering. The youngest son is very much like Gault Hiskman. We talked after supper of course but it was only about ten when we got to bed.

Jane's Notes: Throughout the diary I sometimes struggle with Mom's handwriting, especially when it comes to unfamiliar names. Emily, can you please verify the "Rathburus" name? I know you have all the family genealogy.

Sunday, May 19, 1929

I got up at about seven this morning but by the time we had all bathed and dressed it was nine. Mom didn’t want any breakfast so Pop, June and I went out to breakfast. After breakfast Pop went to send a letter and June an I went back to our rooms. When we got there Mrs. Aubry and Joe were there talking with Mom. Joe is terribly tall and good looking. She stayed and talked until eleven thirty when we started on the days run. A little after two we stopped at Gracey for some lunch. It was a wonderful lunch . After lunch we continued along a broad flat road. The only interest of the afternoon was a race we had with a Hupmobile and a Hudson. We were ahead all the time until we neared town. We’re staying tonight at the Fresno Hotel. Fresno which is the most expensive hotel we’ve hit yet. Ten dollars a night for two rooms and a bath.


Jane's Notes: On this day in history General Feng Yu-Xiang of China declares war on Chiang Kai-Shek government. This must have had implications for the McGinnis family. Were they still in China at that time, Emilie?

Saturday, May 18, 1929

We didn’t have as far to go today so we slept until seven instead of waking up at six. It was eight thirty be the time we got started. There was nothing unusual about our trip all day. We drove along a straight flat road down the valley. About ten after twelve we drove into Woodland where Mrs. Bagery (i.e. Manila friend) lives. We drove up to her house and she took us to the leading hotel for lunch. We talked after lunch and then went back to the house and saw the house they are building. It was three fifteen before we left there. We drove on thru the fruit county about four thirty we stopped at a stand and bought cherries, a basket. Inside of a half an hour they were all gone. We drove to the Stewart Hotel here in Frisco at just about seven o’clock. As soon as we got in Mom called up the Walters, some friends from Manila that had known me when I was a few years old. They came after dinner and talked until about then thirty.

Jane's Notes: I always remember cherries from our trips to California. We'd go to Lakeport to visit my grandmother and buy cherries to eat in the car along the way. We had to be sure and finish them before we got to the California border or they'd be sacrificed at the agriculture inspection station.

Friday, May 17, 1929

Up at quarter after six. It was just seven thirty as we left. Mr. Tilbury had breakfast with us before we left. As far as Grants Pass we went over the same route that we came on but from there we took the inland route. We had lunch at Medford. Not long after leaving Medford we caught sight of Mount Pit. A little bit later we got a beautiful view of the snow covered Mt. Shasta. It was beautiful. We had it in front of us for quite awhile. We went thru the Siskiyou Mountains this afternoon. It’s a lovely drive. Just before we got to the highest point we stopped at a cabin to get some cold water for the engine. There we found an old man and his daughter and son-in-law. They had the most beautiful collection of oil paintings that he had done. Wonderful work. We saw quite a bit of snow on Mt. Top this afternoon. We’re at Redding, CA for the night.

Thursday, May 16, 1929

What a perfectly wonderful day. We (June and I ) woke up just at eight but it was about nine thirty before we got down to breakfast. Just before we went down Mom called up Mrs. Hendrecks (Fred’s mother) and she said she would come over right away. Just as we finish she arrived. She is the sweetest and very pleasant. She stayed and talked for awhile and then went home. Then we went over to the campus to see if I was registered and inquired about Connie Roth (Myra Belle’s friend). She right away took us in and showed us all over the campus. She invited me to lunch at the Theta house. I never met so many lovely sweet girls in all my life. We stayed there until about one thirty then. Connie took me all over the campus. Introduced me to heaps of people. About two thirty we went to see Mr. Hendricks. The rest of the family was there too. But we left them at three thirty and went to the mill race where we had tea with some of the girls from the house. It’s a lovely place and so “collegey”. Then Connie brought me back to the Hotel where I changed for supper for which the whole family including Mrs. Filbury. were invited to supper. Pop and Mr. T. quite enjoyed themselves with so many girls. It was a lovely at her house this afternoon. Mrs. Hendrick made a date for Bone (Fred’s mother) for tonight. After super I went with him to see “Show Boat”. He’s darling. Heaps like Fred.

Wednesday, May 15, 1929

We got up at six his morning, dashed down to the dining room and started by seven thirty. All morning almost we continued thru red woods. Beautiful scenery as I ever hope to see. We stopped early for lunch. Soon after lunch we hit the coast. After lunch we drove over about nine miles of very twisty windy road that was beautiful. Some of the time we could just get between two trees. Then we hit pavement and we traveled. Soon we came out and drove along with the waves braking on the beach at the bottom of a cliff one one side of us and huge trees on the other. About three thirty we got to Grants Pass. They told us it was a least four hours and a half to Eugene. The scenery changed as soon as we crossed the line almost. It’s beautiful. We drove up to the hotel just at eight. Mr. Tilbury was waiting for us. He’s been here about a week and a half waiting for us to arrive. He came down from Seattle. After going out to get something to eat we came back and talked until eleven.

Jane’s Notes: I assume from Mom’s description that this is her first trip to Oregon.

Tuesday, May 14, 1929

We woke up early this morning to get an early start. After we left the hotel we went down to the water front to the Golden Gate ferry. It took us about twenty minutes to cross the bay. At the end of the ferry line was a three mile pier into Berkley. We drove all morning in rolling hills. We had lunch at a farm house inn. We had perfectly wonderful eats. From then on the road sides began to get more wooded and in the late afternoon we went thru the huge red woods. The very biggest and tallest of them. They were beautiful and reminded me of the descriptions of trees I’ve read comparing woods to churches. We wanted to get to Eureka before night but we didn’t make it so we stayed at Scotia instead. Nice hotel. Inwater hotel.

Jane’s Notes: Still on US 101 following along the coast.

Monday, May 13, 1929

When we got in last night we intended to go right on this morning but we found so many things that we wanted to do so we decided to wait until tomorrow morning. It was nine o’clock before I woke up this morning. Mom had sent all my dresses but one to the wash. After breakfast I washed some underclothes and a night gown and then took a bath myself. Then I wrote two letters and by that time it was twenty to one. Just before going to lunch I called up Alice Burkes. She seemed very surprised to hear me. She asked if she could come and get me. After lunch about three o’clock she came for me. She told me that she and Jack were to be married about the middle of June. She showed me her ring. We picked up Ida Ininan who is here and drove around golden Gate Park. We rode around and saw people all afternoon. I met a friend of Bess’s too. Alice brought me home about six fifteen. Pop and June and I went out to supper and then we came back and got Mom and went to our first “talkie”. I liked it very much. The theater was gorgeous, marvelous, palatial.

Sunday, May 12, 1929

This has been a long day. We’ve come over three hundred and fifty miles from Santa Barbara to Frisco. We started at about eight o’clock. About eleven thirty we stopped at Santa Maria for an ice cream. We went thru San Luis Obispo and had lunch about one at Paso Robles. During the afternoon we went thru San Ardo, King City, Gonzales, Salinas and at Gilroy we indulged in another ice cream soda. We got to San Jose about six twenty but we made poor time to Palo Alto because the high way was so crowded. At Palo Alto we had a lunch and I called up Harry Morton. He asked if he could see me but I told him we were just passing thru. We left there at about twenty to eight and got to San Francisco at about nine thirty. The highway was crowded all the way like a city street. We’re staying at the Clarke Hotel. I mean Stewart.

Jane’s Notes: It will be fun if you follow the summer’s travels on a map. Today’s route is along US Highway 101.

Saturday, May 11, 1929

Another full day. This is the first day of the trip altho’ it was only half a day. We got up early and had breakfast and then came back upstairs and packed until almost eleven. We had to pack the suit cases for the car and rearrange things that were already packed. We sent two more trunks to Oregon, one to Five Springs and a big suitcase to Kansas. The things that go in the car were packed helter skelter. Eleanor had two pieces of baggage. As we were going to leave her at Mrs. Williams school. When we finally got packed in the car we looked like a traveling circus. After we left the hotel we went to buy Eleanor some nighties. Then we started out for Pasadena. We got there in about one and three quarters hours. Then we started for Santa Barbara at about quarter to two. At Eagle Rock we stopped for lunch. After a beautiful drive we got here at about six o’clock. We’re staying at the Sea Side Hotel . Early to bed tonight so tomorrow we have an early start.

Friday, May 10, 1929

What a day! We’ve been on the go ever since we got up this morning. As soon as we were dressed we raced down to the grill and gobbled down a breakfast and started for Los Angeles. We were supposed to meet Aunt Bettie Morton at the Derk Hotel at eight thirty. We were ten minutes late. Aunt Bettie came all the way from San Diego to see us. She had some business with Pop but after that we went to the Studebaker place and then did some shopping. At one we had lunch at an Ever Eat. We stayed with Aunt Bettie until about two thirty. From there we drove to Pasadena. First we went to the Helsey’s but only June was home so we went on to Mrs. Williams school to see about Eleanor. It seems to be a lovely place. We’re going to leave her there on trail for ten days while we go up to Oregon. Then we come back to the Helsey and saw the rest of the family with one exception. We had a lovely dinner there and started back about nine thirty. We drove up to our hotel just at eleven.

Thursday, May 9, 1929

The first day spent in my native land for eight years. I woke up about seven o’clock this morning. Mom went down and had her breakfast first while June and I watched Eleanor and dressed. As soon as she was back June and I went down. We went to a little grill off the hotel. I had a milk, wonderful milk, and strawberries and eggs. After breakfast June and I went for a walk. We went to a drug store for some Benzine and to have our films developed. When we got back I washed my hair and wrote letters until Noon. Mom and Eleanor had lunch in the room. June and I went down and ordered it and then had another wonderful meal. After lunch I put combs in my hair and wrote letters until about four thirty. June and I walked down to get the pictures. When we got back I saw a beautiful new Studebaker in front of the hotel. Ours! A beautiful thing with a big trunk on the back. We went for a ride to see the Siautar. Then we came back and had supper. O! these meals. After dinner listened to the radio in the lobby.

Jane’s Notes: As I’ve stated before, my mother’s handwriting was always hard to read and no better when she was a teenager than when she was my Mom. I have not idea what “Siautar” must be. It’s the best I can do trying to read the word.

Wednesday, May 8, 1929

My country ‘tis of thee. It’s been a beautiful day but cold. Pop came in and woke me up at seven this morning. At seven thirty I was on the passengers bridge watching the first point of land come into view. It was quite exciting. I stood and watched until at least nine thirty except for a few minutes spent in eating breakfast. About nine thirty the trunks were brought in and I packed until lunch time. After lunch I watched the land go by and a train. Then I went in the cabin to rest and June came in and wanted me to play Black Jack with her and Henry. About three thirty I changed my dress because they had to take my trunk out. Except for the time they spent in packing everybody spent the time on deck watching dry land. We had supper at six but we were just getting to the breakwater so I was too excited to eat. I went on deck instead. We stopped to pick up the pilot. Then just before we got to the pier we stopped again to pick up the doctor and customs officers. We docked just at eight. At eight thirty we stopped in front of the Hotel Miramar San Pedro. Oh, it’s grand and glorious.

Tuesday, May 7, 1929

Ten seems to be my regular rising time. After I got up I wrote letters until lunch time. Biddle and Bart didn’t appear at lunch. Henry said it was because they were so ashamed about last night. After lunch I played around outside with Eleanor for awhile then came in and washed three pairs of underclothes. I had to do the washing but I didn’t want to come in because it was so glorious outside. We have had wonderful weather and a beautiful calm sea for over a week which is remarkable for the Pacific. After washing I took care of Eleanor again until her dinner time then I started to dress for dinner. The Captain gave a huge dinner as it was the last night that we’d be together. First he gave a little speech and then a toast (champagne) then we had a wonderful dinner. After dinner played poker a little while with Pop, Henry, Biddle & Bart (they came out of hiding late in the afternoon).

Jane’s Notes: In the scrapbook there is a letter dated May 7, 1929, From the University of Oregon accepting Mom to the University as a Special Probation because she graduated in the bottom quarter of her high school class. Signed Earl M Pallett, Registrar by Buna Faris. She probably did so poorly because of all the social activity that was far more important than studying in high school.

Monday, May 6, 1929

It was ten this morning but I missed breakfast which was something to be thankful for. The Chef gave me an apple when I appeared in the galley with Eleanor tho. I went out and took a picture of the tiger after that. I read some before lunch then I had to feed Eleanor. After lunch I read some more until about three thirty, then I fed the tiger his last leg of pork and Henry took a picture of it. Then I came in and read until I had to get dressed for dinner. After dinner I played solitaire. Biddle and Bart have been having a wild time all day and it reached its climax about nine thirty. They’ll have some headaches tomorrow.

Sunday, May 5, 1929

Well I took myself in hand this morning and got up at seven thirty. When I woke up I got up before I could go back to sleep. I got up so early that I hardly knew what to do with myself. I played with Eleanor on deck most of the morning. I tried to read several times but it was so nice outside that I couldn’t stay in. Being Sunday we had a huge lunch and I ate enough of it too. After lunch I read until we started playing bridge. We started out pretty strong but as usual at the end of the six rubbers they were ahead. After tea I again entertained Eleanor on deck until her supper time. Its wonderful weather and the sea is as smooth as glass, no motion to the boat at all. After dinner we sat around and talked and just before coming to bed we heard some music over the radio.

Saturday, May 4, 1929

I was out even later than yesterday this morning. I was just in time for lunch (12:30). I couldn’t get to sleep last night. After lunch I finished up my roll of pictures and Bar and Biddle took some pictures and they also took some movies of the Monkey (Juebus) on my shoulder. I raced around the deck with Eleanor until tea time. After tea we played bridge until five thirty. I didn’t change my dress for dinner tonight but Miss Skow did. The old lady was with us this noon and tonight for making everybody present at the table since the first days out (the first time). After dinner I tried to write a letter but everybody was talking so around me that I made all kinds of mistakes and had to give it up as a bad job.

Friday, May 3, 1929

I broke all the records this morning. It was quarter to twelve before I came out of my stateroom. I took a bath between then and lunch time and believe me it took off some dirt. Right after lunch (at which was Mom & Miss Skow) I took pictures. The Chef showed me some pictures of his wife and son. It was then time for bridge. We played five rubbers. Then Eleanor and I went out with Henry and I fed the tiger again. I chased around with Eleanor and then we went to the galley and had some “gibak”. The Chef told us some of his experiences. At five thirty I brought Eleanor in for her supper. Pop fed her while I dressed for dinner. Mom and Miss Skow were again in attendance. They’re getting to be quite the sailors. Then dinner, music, games and a puzzle. To bed before eleven.

Thursday, May 2, 1929

Well I was up by ten this morning. As soon as I came into sight I was put in charge of Eleanor. We ran around the deck until her lunch time. I fed her. At first she wouldn’t mind me but Pop gave her a spanking, then she behaved. Mom joined us at lunch today. Making everybody there but the old Dutch lady. After lunch I came in and lay down. Then about three I wrote letters. About five I took Eleanor out on deck until her chow time. I hurried her thru. Then did some lightening dressing for dinner. For dinner everybody but the Dutch lady was there again. After dinner I listened in on music from “The Coconut Grove”. The Ambassador Hotel. Then I came back into the Salon and played solitaire until Henry came and I got started on a crossword puzzle. It’s now almost eleven thirty.

Wednesday, May 1, 1929

I’m ashamed! it was eleven fifteen before I got up this morning. I went up on deck as soon as I was dressed and sat with Mom until it was time to feed Eleanor. After lunch Biddle wore his coat so I mended it for him then mended mine. Then we played bridge until tea time. We came out ahead for a change. I want out with Henry and fed the tiger then I walked a mile around the deck with Pop. Then went up on deck and sat with Mom until five thirty. Mom has been up all day long. I came down made a quick change and then fed Eleanor. Miss Skow joined us tonight for dinner, the first woman besides myself since two days out. After dinner the Chef brought his portable to the ward room. It had batteries in it and didn’t need to be wound. It was eleven before I turned in. It is now twenty to twelve.

Jane’s Notes: I assume the “portable” was a record player.