Chapter 1 Having come all the way round the house, we might as well enter through the kitchen back door, and visit the playroom next, through its door near the kitchen. Down a flight of wooden stairs one first reached the cellar which was lit only with a dim centre light - its small window under the consulting-room window was merely a strip of gauze. The cellar was dark and cold and had a hanging meat safe and shelves for pantry needs. A very small entrance through which even very small children had to bend to get in led to a fascinating set of foundations - a place in which Russell and I had many games, armed with torches. We had first to avoid scattering Mother�s potatoes which had been laid out carefully in the pitch dark. Back to the staircase, which had a small platform before the last few stairs, and then one trod onto the well-sprung floor of the large room. It had apparently been meant as a ballroom, and in later years we did have a few very lovely teenage dances there. A big cupboard housed toys and later tennis racquets, footballs and hockey sticks. Dad was very keen on our physical development and for years we had a trapeze hanging with a big mattress under it, on which we had lots of fun. We were encouraged to drill with Indian clubs and dumbells, and Dad was greatly in favour of a set of exercises devised by a Swede, whose books were published as "My System for Children", ". ..for Men", and "...for Women." With neighbourhood children, I also had dancing lessons. The playroom was only semi-basement and had tall windows which were at ground level with the back lawn - one could easily swing oneself up and climb out of them. At a large table sat, at various times, the weekly sewing woman (Mrs February was an early one who helped Mother a great deal in learning to sew), children doing lessons with governesses and - clearest memories - myself spending hours with a damp cloth around my head doing university studying. A lonely spot late at night! One memory lingers of a brightly lit Christmas tree and a party for coloured children � they were possibly connected with St Monica�s Nursing Home. Back in the hall, the main staircase was carpeted, and Russell and I enjoyed sliding down the banisters. It led up one flight to the half-way-up-room with its curtained glass door inside which was a tiny landing from which a short flight of stairs led into that small room which was variously the governess� room, and later Jim�s and then Russell�s bedroom. It had other uses between whiles, and once Mother laid on a magic lantern show for us and our friends - I suppose a birthday treat - when the little platform was ideal for setting up her lantern, and we sat on the floor and watched the pictures on the wall. The staircase then turned a corner and led onto the main landing, which was wooden-floored and had a mosaic decoration. A big oak press was the main piece of furniture, designed by Mother, with one key to open all 12 compartments. Our only bathroom was a large room, beautifully tiled with green tiles, with an enormous free-standing bath. The water was heated by a gas geyser for many years before we had an electric one. Dad was insistent on our having cold baths daily, and we had hot baths only about once a week. I found this routine very easy when I went off to boarding school, with a similar regime - some friends found it very difficult indeed to have those daily cold baths.
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