n,
and was promptly shot dead. The other was in front of the trenches
mending wires, and his comrades, seeing that their N.C. officer was
out, joyfully seized the occasion to stoke their fire and have a big
blaze. The result was the unfortunate man showed up against it and was
shot through the head; and their fire was kicked bodily into the water
by an irate N.C.O. But they will do exactly the same to-morrow and the
next day and the day after! The fact is, they never think! I am
waiting now to take the Brigade Major and one of "K.'s Army" round the
trenches to show them what I can, so that K.'s officer may not have
quite a "green" crew when he arrives. More Germans have gathered in
front of us lately, I think. I have written to London for an awfully
good new waterproof, as I must keep dry, and I have had to send to
"Flight" for a new uniform coat. When they come I shall be fairly set
up, though the trenches have played havoc with my riding things; but
they will have to do for the present. Would you kindly look in my
unpainted tin-lined box and get me out a pair of khaki puttees. If you
cannot find them there, they will be in a black wooden box. Get
someone to help you. Both trunks are in the box-room, but do not catch
cold when watching them. I have now returned from the trenches. We
were sniped a little; the General went up another trench alongside us
with the adjutant of a certain regiment, Capt. Thompson, and he, poor
fellow! was killed. He was a good sort, and was in here yesterday to
see me, and talking about his 3 children so cheerily: one, a boy, at,
I think, the Beacon School, Sevenoaks, and on his way to Eton. Mr.
Adderley came back this morning with a wonderful story that the Navy
had caught an oil tank vessel supplying oil to the German submarines,
and that the crew were taken to our Depot in Belfast and there shot!
Presumably it is not true!...

_February 25th, 1915._

Thanks for your letter. I heard from Sir John, and there was one, too,
from my Mother, who is a very regular correspondent. Aunt Mary
Cowell's letter turned up also, so I must get letters of thanks
written to everyone in due course. To-night I am dining with Gen.
Pinney. He and I are supposed to be the two optimists of the Division.
Snow on the ground and rather cold. I hope the Germans are very cold
and short of food! I am waiting to find out the time of poor Capt.
Thompson's funeral. He was kill