Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

May 27, 1923 –Friday – a warm June like day – the sunlight is hot – white – not a breath of air – the brilliant new green leaves hang trembling – at noon Bertha complained of being tired and seemed wistful – after dinner she had to lie down – I left her unwillingly. ; At evening ¬– Bertha was still tired – we went outdoors after supper & sat on the roof in the cool twilight – I’ve watched two nighthawks pursuing each other – at night when it came time to go to bed, Bertha said she was too nervous to go – she insisted on me going tho (sic) I didn’t want to leave her up. Later in the night she I awoke to feel her arm thrown over my neck and her wistful “Daddy” – I awoke enough to put my arm around her & her head on my shoulder, but I was dead sleepy – I could not stay awake – I must have slept some then – suddenly Bertha exclaimed “Oh I had an emission” I was awake instantly at first I could not believe her time had come but two or three repetitions made it sure. I dressed hurriedly – out into the strangely quiet street – the moon setting in the S.W a few