The world and I are very middle-aged...

Roberta Hewitt

Socialist, activist and wife of John Hewitt

I have not written in this for ages, not feeling any urge principally. With war hanging round us and men dying in Korea, for nothing it seems. The world and I are very middle-aged.

All the years we own between us don’t seem to have taught us wisdom – we both know that children are better fed in the main, drink more milk, live longer, have more book learning in schools – but what for? I want to retire from all my nursery school committees, for I don’t feel I know what children or people really need.

I vote for training of teachers, the regulation of school hours, dear God, what impudence. I can appoint staff – therefore settle a girl’s working life – dismiss those I don’t think suitable – it should not be allowed.