compare with such anguish as
theirs?

The first intimation reached my home by a letter returned from France,
undelivered, and bearing a slip containing these words, type-written:
"Killed in action September 9."

Three days later a knock at the door, and a telegraph boy handed in a
telegram which read:

"Most deeply regret inform you Cap. H.G. Nobbs ---- London
Regiment, Killed in Action Sep. 9."

and also another telegram:

"The King & Queen deeply regret loss you and the Army have
sustained by the death of Cap. Nobbs, in the service of his
Country. Their Majestys deeply sympathise with you in your
sorrow.

"KEEPER OF THE PRIVY PURSE."

Next morning my name appeared in the official casualty list under the
heading: "Killed in Action."

Letters followed from the front confirming my death, and even
describing the manner of my death.

Such things are unavoidable in modern warfare; and only those who
understand the conditions and the difficulties can appreciate the
possibility of avoiding occasional errors. It is surprising to me that
the errors in reporting casualties are not more frequent, and it
speaks well of the care given by those responsible for this task.

It is extremely difficult, and occasional mistakes are only too apt to
be widely advertised and give a wrong impression. Think of the task of
the hundreds and thousands of casualties; and the errors, terrible
though the suffering entailed may be, are comparatively insignificant.

But I have led the reader away from my story.

They thought me dead. Yes; killed in action. There was no getting away
from it; no need for me to describe the tears and sorrow. Those who
suffer must bear their sorrow in silence--more honour to them.

Obituary notices appeared in the newspapers, and letters and telegrams
of condolence poured in.

My solicitors took possession of my belongings and explained their
contents to my family.

A firm of photographers who generously invite officers to have their
portraits taken free of charge, now offered the plate for a
consideration to the illustrated papers; and even as I write these
lines many months later, my picture is dished up again in this week's
issue of an illustrated magazine as among the dead.

In short, during those few weeks which followed my fall, I became as
dead and completely buried as modern conventions demanded.

It is expensive to die and not be dead, for