Funerals ten, all children.

Meant to have spoken on “Heere, maak mij bekend mijne einde” (Lord, make me to know mine end), but on discovery at graveyard that all were children, spoke on “The Reaper and the Flowers.”

Miss Snyman in hospital, moaning awfully just now; just been there; poor girl; and she disturbs all the others.

Spruit nicely down; Mr. Becker not come; can’t get across evidently.

Visits to hospital.  In women’s ward “beterschap”; little Betty and Miss Taljaard much better; wonder if!

Read to them about Jairus’ daughter; but the other Betty “wasn’t there no more” to hear.

Pancakes; five easily.

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Tuesday, September 17.—­Fine, glorious day; people all busy airing and drying things; life again.

69, old Mr. Theunissen, very weak; old man; old wife; floor.  Hard luck; “Ach, Minheer, ik het zoo gewens dat mij zoon mij ooge moet toe druk, en nou is hij in Ceylon, en ik voel dat ik nie langmeer hier zal wees nie” ("O sir, I did so wish that my son should close my eyes, and now he is in Ceylon, and I feel that I won’t be here much longer").

Saw Mr. Mentz being led home to tent (from hospital) by Mr. Booysen; anxiety; knows nothing about daughter’s death, and his wife lies ill in bed.  What’s to be done?  Mr. Mentz (one month in hospital) still very weak.  Brought him to the Van As’s for some tea while I planned how best to act.  Decide to break news to him just before he arrives at tent; very painful task indeed.  Caught the two up just before tent door, and told him to stop a minute.  Now God help me and him!—­Thank God, it is over!  Rude, cruel awakening!  O the sorrow, the sorrow of it!  Prayed with family, and left with heavy, leaden heart.

Why is there so much sorrow and bitterness in this life?

Last week, when his wife visited him in hospital, he gave her half an orange to give his Nellie, and on another occasion a biscuit—­and all the while his girlie was under the cold, dark sod.

Visited Van den Heever, 68.  Also 626, 631, 624, 70, 74.

Went with trembling heart to 532; “Waar is die kind?” ("Where is the child?").  “Nee, Minheer, zij is vannach om een uur dood” ("Sir, she died last night at one o’clock").

Found the Van Zyls, 499, and the Robertsons, 503, had also lost babies during last few days.

424, Hasebroek; sick child; baby died yesterday.

482, Hetts; little daughter very sick; wonder if!  Such a sweet little thing.

Getting sick to death of doctor; such a terrible amount of brag and big talk, always about himself; always dread his calls; can never get so far as to return; a regular thorn in the flesh.

Visits to hospital.

Mr. Van der Merwe still very bad; men’s ward full of boys; some very bad.

Martie Snyman recognised me to-day, and asked me to pray for her; mother there too.