and three guarding the outside beside the driver; in addition, detectives on
motor cycles were nearby.^45
Back in Holloway again, Emmeline went on a hunger, thirst and sleep strike.
She was released after four days, on 17 December, to Lincoln’s Inn House where
a hospital room had been arranged for her. Two imprisonments in less than ten
days had drained her strength and the coldness of her cell had brought on a
painful neuralgia. Her licence was until 23 December, two days before
Christmas. Fresh outbreaks of militancy occurred in protest against her harsh
treatment, the damage from arson attributed to the suffragettes being higher in
December – about £54,500 – than in any previous month in 1913. Although
only seventy militants were imprisoned in 1913 compared with a peak of 240 in
1912, the scale of the arson damage in 1913 was estimated to be £271,000, a
sum that far exceeded any previous estimates for damage caused by earlier forms
of militancy, including window-breaking. By December 1913 a distinct change
in the pattern of militancy had occurred in that fewer but more serious offences
were being committed.^46
Ethel Smyth was beside herself with worry. On 16 December she wrote to
Emmeline an emotional and effusive letter, telling her that the telegram she
had recently received had brought such relief that she would not scold her for
the expense. ‘I really only want to see the one & only person who is in my
thoughts. How wise I was to go so far away – Here I shall have, if anywhere,
patience and gain power over myself.’ Concerned about what the future held for
Emmeline, Ethel ended her letter on an affectionate note. ‘Thank you again for
your wire my darling – Yes – think of me at every crisis – I can never tell you
what you are to me – what I think of you.’^47 In her reply to her beloved friend,
Emmeline gave a very detailed account of her imprisonment:
In Holloway I lay on the ground exhausted, but with wit enough to
complain, and firmly refused to be examined. I was so worn out that I
could not resist when they put me to bed, just as I was. I lay there till
next morning through the usual visits of Governor, Matron, and
doctor, but again refused to be examined. I had by then recovered
enough to make plans. I got off the bed and said I would not lie on it
again. For two nights I lay on the concrete floor and also a great part of
the day. I never took off my clothes or shoes, only wiped my face and
hands; my head was tied up in scarf and I did not do my hair! On
Tuesday I said to the Doctor, ‘Two nights I have lain there’ (pointing
to the floor). ‘From now on I will not do that but shall walk the floor
till I am let go or die.’ I kept on till 9 p.m. when the Dr. came to tell
me I was to be released next morning.
Over and over again each day he came and said: ‘Will you let me
examine you?’ My answer was always, ‘No.’ ‘Very well’, he said each time
and marched out. When he told me I was to be let go he said among
other things: ‘You have achieved your end and I suppose you think me aOUSTING OF SYLVIA AND A FRESH START FOR ADELA