This latest Thursday being the 24th, was my birthday. During the morning of my birthday we went to Mass, at which I was privileged to serve. Afterwards, coming home, I made a saint-card for our Etsy shop:
Eventually, it became the afternoon, by which it was tea-time. I therefore was informed to wait in my room for a while, and when I later came down I was surpris'd by this interesting cake:
The whole of the arrangement signified obscure references to The Man Who Was Thursday, by G.K. Chesterton. Therefore, everyone dress'd as the council of the days, such as Mother was professor De Worms:
So I ran back up-stairs and speedily attired myself as Monday, the insane secretary, and afterwards I sat down for my raw tomato and tepid water. Also, Lydia was the Marquis de St. Eustache, Anna was Gogol, and Mary was Dr. Bull.
When Dad came home, he dress'd as Sunday, by the arrangement of sitting backwards in his chair, although with his coat fore-wards.
Actually, none of the features of this singular tea-time will really make sense unless you have read the aforementioned book.
For the occasion of Supper, everyone dress'd as medieval peasants, and also as there was some music playing, they danc'd. One song which was heard at that time is entitled The 24th of February, which was rather appropriate, as I was born on the 24th of February.
After supper, I again retired unto my room, being told to dress as a medieval noble. When I returned, the whole family was dressed according to a similar style. Instantly, Jonathan pulled a parcel from under his cloak, and presented it to me:
As it turn'd out, he had given me a sword. I was Thoroughly Surprised.
I actually have been considering buying a sword for several weeks, & Mom said I could buy one when I was finished with high school. I had one all pick'd out, when suddenly the company ran out of them, and they were not making any more. I looked for another sword to consider, but I did not find any. Having said to my mother at the time, "Someone bought the last one," to which she responded, saying, "How did you know?" What had happen'd was, unbeknownst to me, Jonathan had boughten the Last One.
Although this sword is not sharp, it is a Real Sword (it is possible to sharpen it) and it is made from Spring Steel. Jonathan also at the same time bought himself a sword; his being a two-handed longsword, and mine being somewhere between a single-handed sword and a hand-and-a-half broadsword:
Besides many other gifts, my Mother & Father gave me a very heavy box.
I did not bother to guess what was inside, as I figgered that the best way to find out was to open it.
Guess what -it was an accordion!
I therefore have been from the time of my birthday mostly teaching myself to play the contraption.
Thus we may see that I was well pleased with my presentations, and I had a jolly birthday.
