1889 diary p33 Mrs Anthony's flattery

[Deskman]

Any help with the xxxs and related text here much appreciated.

"but no ladies turned up. Mrs Anthony a most amusing woman lays on flattery with a spade regularly shovels it on if I ever write a novel I’ll put her in – seems to like to talk"

The folks here are brightening my transcription from dark uncertainty to wonder. Thanks.

The bold text is thanks to help here.

[Bookbox]

... if I ever write a novel I'll put her in

[Deskman]

Bull's eye Bookbox!
So impressed.
Is it your diary we are working on?

[Bookbox]

Bones occasionally creak, but I'm not quite that old.

Did he ever write a novel? It would surely be entertaining.

[ShaunJ]

Presumably Mrs Anthony is Elizabeth, the wife of the Culmington schoolmaster Edward Anthony. In 1889 she would have been in her late 40's. She was born in Canada.

[Deskman]

Yes ShaunJ, Elizabeth Anthony born in Niagara, Canada but she was 46 in 1889