Wednesday December 8th

Got rather a late start this morning and had to take the cream to the corner so didn't get much but chores done before dinner. Spent the after noon laying floor in the new chicken pen and have it about half done. Quit early as we are all going to town to-morrow to help unpack more books and want to get an early start so did all we could towards getting ready to-night. I have a bet on with Marj. that I can be ready to start by 8 o'clock. I caught all the chickens that were roosting around in the barn & old shed to-night and shut them up in the old chicken pen. Charlie Butler & Cory came in before I finished with a couple they had borrowed to hover chick and they stayed till about 11 o'clock. Fine day & mild

Thursday December 9th

I got up about 5 this morning and hit a pretty steady clip doing chores till six when I had breakfast with Marj. the kids for once all being asleep. I then milked let the cows out and put them in again, changed my clothes and had Queen at the gate just on the stroke of 8 Marj. wasn't ready for another half hour but we got a good start never-the-less and were down town by nine, much to Auntie's and Aunty Alice's surprise and consternation as they are always blaming us for being so behind hand. I took Queen over to Sid's but the shop was full and although I tried twice I couldn't get her in till 2 o'clock but Sid counted her turn when she first came in so I was able to get her soon after 4. Dad. came down to Auntie's and he Quint and I got in three or four more cases of books from the barn and all hands helped unpack them & Aunty Alice stowed most of them in the new bookcase that Quint made. A great many were put back in the boxes and put in Mina's room. They were mostly Parliamentary debates and books written in French, Latin or Greek. It is a wonderful collection and is a feast for the eyes just to look at them on the shelves; the bindings are so beautiful. Marj. got an order for some showcards for me from Hall so I had to go up town just before we came home and get some Bristol board. We got home about dark. Fine day & mild. Dad. gave me certificates for 10 shares prefered & 10 shares common of Hamilton Dairy stock to-day worth $1180.

Friday December 10th

I spent the day except for doing chores laying floor