From 8-year old Hilda’s diary:

I am writing with a pencil because I am in bed with an earache and Grandmother doesn’t want me to write with ink because it can spill on the sheets. I am very pleased about the earache, as it doesn’t hurt too much and it’s much nicer than arithmetic. The doctor says I cannot go to school for at least a week.

Sad to say, Hilda also takes a break from writing in her diary. She’ll return on May 28.