1 Midleton College,
Co Cork. 16 — 3 — 16 Dear Mrs Skeffington, A thousand thanks for
pamphlets, they are both like sea
breezes! But never, no never
will I be happy again until I
know that man, and talk to
him about teaching! Funnily
enough, I had actually discovered
the emotional educational use of Emmett
I mentioned it in a current comment
wh I hope reached editor? I am in the mood for a chat and a 2 chat with both of you! Do you
remember our old Monday afternoons? It is terribly sad here. The Parkers
lost their elder boy (4 1/2) last July,
and it nearly killed her, while
he too is still grieving a good deal. One is glad to be able to give a
little sympathy when they talk
about the dead child, but living
in the house where there is a great
personal sorrow is so different
from our merry intercourse & determination to
right the Universe. We produced 'The Jackdaw' with
great success last week. The editor
would have been repaid for giving 3 me the ticket if he had seen how
boys enjoyed themselves. We scored a
great feminist Victory by being let
dress boys as women. One or two
strangers refused to believe that
'Mrs Broderick' was not a girl ! It emphasises the essential
likeness of the sexes so well.! They are working very well too.
But it is hard to influence them,
at least it takes tact.! I began by
telling them tons about PR
regular Aston stuff, and never
mentioned W.S: try elaborately to
avoid subject, with result that
they shudder at 'PR' & try hard to 4 coax me into talking W.S. all 3 are
great authorities on Mrs Cousins.
I saw her in Killarney, 2 knows
a brother & 3 knows a sister (Mrs
Dobbs) whose husband, he says, is
a cousin of Mr Parker. You may picture me resolutely
refusing to be told whom her brother
in Dunmanivay married! I had a horrid experience tho'
talking to them seriously about
drink, they started to tell me about
a former master who drank! I shut that up, but one saw the
evil was done. I am sure however,
they are as yet alright about sex. 5 I'm trying to beguile one of them
to enter T.C.D as J.M.H's pupil,
in the hope that he would
look after them when they go to
College. R.M. Gwynn will probably
help too. You might mention
this to H if you see him. How is Maurice? I hope his
wife is better? I am really writing to tell
you that I am giving a tea
party at Shamrock Lodge
Rathmines Road, during holidays.
Mrs F is lending her house, 6 I do want you both! Wil
Thursday 13th April suit you? I want to ask about 15 pals
& have a mock debate on
Shoudl Sheehy Skeffington be
hanged! but this depends on his
positively promising to come. I am going to ask JC too, but
it is no good writing to that lot
they never answer. They have
never sent me a paper all this
time ! Nothing doing in Courts, I suppose?
I am longing to see Citizen!
Will pay all my debts when I see you ! 7 It is nearly schooltime, so I must
stop. yours affectionately
M E Duggan.
Mirabile dictu ! have just got letter from
Graduates Assoc asking me to speak
re W.Lawyers on April 7th or
send suggest substitute. They may delay
meeting till 8th for me. If not, would
you do it? I am mentioning you
to them. I think they ought to tackle
members of Bar & get their support !