Today is the first day of the New Year, and after much thought, I have decided to commemerate this year by keeping a journal. My eldest brother, Matthew gave me the paper I need to write with as a special Christmas Gift. He saved his money carefully for it.

I being 13 years of age and a female, do not earn any money to spend. I am the BABY though it vexes me no little amount to be branded as such. I am also the only girl in this family, having 7 elder brothers. At times I find this to be a very handy thing, though I take pains to hide it from the world. I once overheard Mother when she was speaking to Mistress Perry say that the only way she was able to maintain her mind at all in her home full of men was that she practiced her feminine wyles upon them on occasion.

I do not know what feminine wyles are, but after much observation I am beginning to understand what she meant. And indeed it must be kept a secret, or I fear it would not be effective at all. I did have to ask Father how to spell feminine. I chose my time carefully, waiting until he was working on his sermon. He gave me no more than a vague look, and I imagine he forgot what I had asked in the time it took him to find his place. Should he remember my question, I will tell him it was my word for the day. It pleases him when I learn new words and I do like learning new words.

I will continue to watch Mother and learn the way of the world for a woman so I will be able to maintain my mind.