I only stay for 8 Mass now, and don’t stay for the Mission sermon, as otherwise I would have no time for study. As I was working in the garden this morning, I heard the poor pigs squealing in the bacon factory all the time. They kill them by knifing them. It is horrible. Had quite a nice swim before dinner, and crossed the river though the current is strong. After dinner Mám was kind enough to give me 2/- for two tennis balls. They are ridiculously dear, for those are the very cheapest. Read ‘Europe of To-day’ till tea, and after worked at harmony, and then went for tennis. I had very good sets, especially a singles with Charlie Mansfield, whom I licked. – I must get at my stamps more, read more; and do more harmony, as I have determined to give up fooling at my own compositions, and work steadily at harmony instead, and will do summary of my life in Dunmanway. We will have no piano there. Mám said to-day we will only be able to go to Dublin if we spare our money more. We have only ₤8 till September. ((According to an internet calculator, Measuring Worth, ₤8 would have been worth about €440 in today’s money. Not much to cover six weeks for two people, including rent. The School of Music staff were not paid during the holidays. Fleischmann may have taken their savings to invest in Germany. They may have been fairly substantial, as he says in his letter of 22 Aug. that he was hoping to bring back a Steinway grand piano.))
