ly nearly
spent, and the broken door is just like the back entrance of your
aunt's house opposite Carlton church. It went clean through this; then
turned to the right through a thick wall and landed in a cupboard on a
shelf, smashing the doors, but not exploding....

IN BILLETS.
_February 8th, 1915._

Very heavy rain last night, and plenty of mud this morning after five
o'clock, when we stood to arms. I am going to Merville, as I said,
this afternoon to get my teeth looked to. I took Major B. for a
longish walk yesterday. He hates walking, but brightened up
considerably as we went along, and we talked of our various troubles.
We have certain worries with some of our men who have not been brought
up in the strict discipline really required for a continental war.
Cheering news has come to us from Russia. A General was sent by the
Czar to decorate Sir John French and the Colonel of the Scots Greys,
of which the Czar is Col. in chief. He is reported to have said: "Do
not worry; we have not yet mobilized in Russia, but we shall do so in
the beginning of April, and we do not ask you to do more than wait
here holding the enemy; then we propose simply to march on Berlin with
overwhelming numbers." So be it, as long as we get these thieves
settled soon. That heavy fighting I told you about La Bassee way,
going on two days ago, was our storming a German trench; I hear that
we killed a lot of Germans and captured 30. Of course we must have
lost heavily ourselves too. Would you send a copy of my History, of
which you have already sent two away, to Col. Anderson, Headquarters,
VIII Division, B.E.F. His father was in the regiment, and he is
interested in it. Also to my Mother please send a copy with my love.
By the way, all parcels to France are expensive, but if the postage by
chance is not fully paid it does not matter, as no extra charge is
made at this end. Now I must stop, as I am as busy as possible to-day
trying to get things done, and everyone wants to see me at once. Such
a lovely sun!...

IN BILLETS.
_February 9th, 1915._

Well, I went yesterday afternoon and had two teeth filled, one under
the gum, which is still rather painful; but the amusing point is that
on my way there at some cross roads I was held up for a quarter of an
hour