Emily Gander Washer

Emily appears in Mrs Henry Dudeney's diary between 1916 and 1918.

Mrs Dudeney was an author of best-selling novels who was, in her day, compare to Thomas Hardy. She lived in Lewes with her husband Earnest and a Dalmatian called Nelson. The following extracts are from an edited version of her diary.

1916

3 July. Now - 12 - just back from servant hunting [...] Went to Mrs Marchant, the station master's wife, for Emily W's character. Such a nice woman and speaks well of Emily Washer. On I'm sick of servants. If only we could do without.

10 July. Riotous morning! ... advent of Emily Washer. What an increasing bore housekeeping becomes. Went to Wycherley who thinks he's got a garden. Couldn't sleep for thinking of it.

21 September. This day I got my garden in St Martin's Lane. From then til now - 26th - the who thing is a joyful madness. Took Emily down with me, she carrying Nelson's basket. Had some straw sent to the garden to make this bed.

31 December. Always write a little speculative bit at the last! Will 1917 bring peace? [...] And will EGW be with me? The answer to all this I shall know on New Year's Eve 1917*. If I'm alive?? And will I be here in my dear old High Street House with the panelled drawing room and the tubs in the back yard? And shall I have my darling garden in St. Martin's Lane still?

*This was partially answered by the fact that EGW came in 3 hours later, half seas over and hiccuping "I've only been drinking the health of my sweetheart at the front." (You convinced she has too many sweethearts).

1917

8 January. [...] EGW after supper came up blubbering "Sister took bad and she must go home at once for a week." Told her quite impossible, but she could have a month's notice if she liked. Don't believe a word of it. Believe she is playing an Elizabethan game. Men here whitewashing kitchen, EGW fulsome in her meekness. [...]

11 January. EGW's day out, and she must go home for a week to "help Mother with the soldiers". I said it was preposterous, she could only go with a month's notice. She went off in such a mood that I hardly expected to see her back.

Editor's note: Soldiers were billeted with Lewes families.

15 April. Went down Rotten Row before church for young nettles: "Southover Spinach" - delicious. EGW wouldn't touch 'em.

19 June. EGW suddenly demands a week's holiday. Scene. Shan't stand another. Has so shaken me that I can't settle my thought to work. Must. How I loathe servants. But for me one is indispensable.

22 August. Hell of a Rage! "What the devil do I pay for?" No dinner or tea prepared yesterday. Knew there would be. However, EGW is back now [from holiday] so I shall be able to keep away from him. At tea he brought home scones and was urbane - to the dog - I'm not so easily mollified that way.

29 August. Very nice tea party ... Mrs Young a most beguiling old thing. She says this house is haunted by an old man called Langridge, the usual miser, who lived here alone. This would account for Nelson's nerves sometimes in the drawing room [at] nights ... EGW late again. Gave her notice.

12 November. [...] EGW drunk-ish and insolent at night.

1918

7 February. Earnest sent Emily out with a note and between them they let Nelson steal half the dinner.

10 April. EGW's day out and also Earnest's birthday.

8 May. EGW really thinks she will get married and gave me a month's notice.

12 June. Emily left, to my great regret and to hers.

References

Crook, Diana. (1998) Editor. 'Mrs Henry Dudeney - A Lewes Diary 1916 - 1944', Tartarus Press, 1998.