Margaret was convinced that all of the servants were eating out of the kitchen and some were taking food regularly to their families. The Chinese servants accused only the Thai servants of stealing things, but with the time Margaret had evidence that…
There was something at the school that Margaret couldn't get any wind about. Dr. Bulkley came back from his trip and found his wife almost dead, but she recovered quickly. She was in charge of the school and Margaret had no authority.Â
Peggy was having a hard time with a nose infection she had. She liked taking care of Bill and would take things away from him, saying, "No, no..." She would run away to the school to her many friends. Kenneth was gone again for about a month (there…
Margaret was often concerned about her kids getting diseases that were all around. They were instructed to never touch their eyes because Trachoma was everywhere. Margaret thought that keeping her kids away from the Thai children (which the other…
Margaret's skin was getting darker and darker because of the sun. The whiter the person the more she was admired. She talks about skin colors in Siam and people's preferences in this regard.
Margaret received a cable from Evangeline, signed, "Love, Evangeline Welsh." That was how she let the Landons know she had married Evan Welsh. Margaret reads about the two dresses she received, the children being sick with colds, Kenneth's…
Margaret recalls a letter to Evangeline from the Anglo-Chinese girls' school where she was staying. She describes her trip to India and the present she received from home. She made some sewing and kept the books for school and her household. The kids…
Margaret sailed on a small British steamer, the only passenger. There was a meal served twice a day (breakfast and dinner). She couldn't understand the men who spoke dialects that most British couldn't understand. There was an anti-American sentiment…
Margaret remembers the names of two of the women she stayed with at the Anglo-Chinese girls' school. They were very hospitable. She recalls Peggy as a little two years old girl, her fondness for Miss Christiansen, Bill starting to speak and how he…
When Margaret got better she was invited to go to Malaya where she had a true vacation. She stayed in a cottage at a beautiful hill station and had a wonderful view of the area. She enjoyed fresh vegetables, read and wrote most of the time, and…
Margaret talks about the heat and its effect on the body as the Landons were still adjusting to the climate. She talks about the kids, the horrifying bedbugs, and her constant concern to protect the kids. She talks again about the Bovees and how the…
A group of ladies were meeting every Sunday afternoon. It was Margaret's turn to receive the ladies and entertain them as well as give the devotional. She served tea and cake with the help of her young cook. Margaret talks about the "fix-all" man and…
Margaret went to Nakhon with Mrs. Bulkley on her way to Phuket, because one of the Christian teachers at the girls' school was getting married. The girl's mother was not Christian and made the process to the wedding complicated. The couple eventually…
Kenneth took Margaret to call on a group of Chinese Christians who converted to Christ with the ministry of Dr. Amner. He built a large church and left many years ago and entrusted the church to a Brethren missionary, Dr. Toy. This was unfortunate…
Margaret returned to Dr. Toy's story. He worked for the government and drew a lot of money. His first wife bore him four children and died. He remarried and had six more children. The last king died and Dr. Toy was laid off. He decided to become an…
Margaret tells about the first Christian she met in Phuket, a regular patriarch who had been Christian for more than forty years through the ministry of Dr. Amner. He was an old man over seventy years old yet with a strong frame, who went along to…
Margaret left Phuket and Mrs. Sheehan drove her down to Tonka harbor where she and the children were going to sail. They listened to a man play classical music. They had a miserable trip going across, with all their luggage. They were glad to get…
Margaret was now in charge of the school. Mrs. Bulkley had left because of physical difficulties, and Miss Eakin never came back. There were some building projects in the wind for the coming year. She talks about preparation work at the school. He…
Margaret writes that Bill was learning to run, like a drunken sailor. Peggy is trying to sing, and since she knows no tune, her singing is always "original." Miss Eakin never came back from the US, so Margaret ran the school until she left for…
Mr Bulkley bought a baby elephant and wanted to ship it to New York to the Museum of National History, where he was a contributor. His wife was traveling on the same ship and he wanted to save the fare of a keeper for the baby elephant. He brought…
Margaret was back from Phuket and was getting ready for school. She wrote to her mother painting a picture of the school. The girls were very timid about sleeping in a room alone because they were afraid of spirits. Margaret recalls the night when…
Margaret writes to Elizabeth that she knows nothing more discouraging than missionary work. The failures loom so much larger than the puny successes. She tells of one of the strongest Christian couples in their church that had split.
Margaret cannot trust the younger woman who was working for her. She passed her second year exam and was starting her third year. She got a new servant, very capable. Her mother was Siamese and her father a Czechoslovakian who left the family and…
Margaret entertained two discourteous guests. They came over to the Landons for the weekend and Margaret worked hard to ensure they had a nice stay. Something spilled on the lady's dress and she was unhappy. They never sent a thank you note and tried…
Margaret ate durian after attending the King's daughters' meeting. When she first came to Siam she felt sick every time she smelled the fruit. After a few years she got used to it and couldn't have it enough. She describes how the fruit grows in a…