is
clothes or having to bother with military red tape at steamer
gangways or customs houses.

The airmen are a type which one associates with certain marked
characteristics. No nervous man is wanted, and it is time for an
aviator to take a rest at the first sign of nerves. They seem rather shy,
men given to observation rather than to talking; accustomed to using
their eyes and hands. It is difficult to realize that some quiet, young
fellow who is pointed out has had so many hairbreadth escapes.
What tales, worthy of Arabian Nights' heroes who are borne away-on
magic carpets, they bring home, relating them as matter-of-factly as if
they had broken a shoelace.

Up in their seat, a whir of the motor, and they are off on another
adventure. They have all the spirit of corps of the oldest regiments,
and, besides, a spirit peculiar to the newest branch in the service of
war. Anonymity is absolute. Everything is done by the corps for the
corps. Possibly because it is so young, because it started with
chosen men, the British Aviation Corps is unsurpassed; but partly it is
because of the British temperament, with that combination of
coolness and innate love of risk which the British manner sometimes
belies. Something of the old spirit of knighthood characterizes air
service. It is individual work; its numbers are relatively few.

Some mornings ago I saw several young soldiers with notebooks
going about our village street. They were from the cadet school
where privates, from the trenches, take a course and return with
chocolate drops on their, sleeve-bands as commissioned officers.
This was a course in billeting. For ours is not an army in tents, but
one living in French houses and barns. The pupils were learning how
to carry out this delicate task; for delicate it is. A stranger speaking
another language becomes the guest of the host for whom he is
fighting. Mr. Atkins receives only shelter; he supplies his own meals.
His excess of marmalade one sees yellowing the cheeks of the
children in the family where he is at home. Madame objects only to
his efforts to cook in her kitchen; woman-like, she would rather handle
the pots and pans herself.

Tommy is thoroughly instructed in his duty as guest and under a
discipline that is merciless so far as conduct toward the population
goes; so the two get on better than French and English military
authorities feared that they might. Time has taught them to
understand each other and to s