express it, I ever had, for he worked
under me though he was actually senior in point of rank. He was
also the best and most loyal one I could wish for. Far more than
that, he was a most interesting and lovable companion and friend.
In fact, when he left us the gap created in our mess was one that
became more noticeable every day. Intellectually, he was a great
loss to us, for his interests were extremely broad and his views
original. But far more than that, there was a sort of bigness
about him. He was an idealist, and the rarer sort, the sort that
carries its theories into practice.

We all laughed at him and at some of the things he did and the
scruples he had, but in our hearts I think we all honoured and
loved him for them. For without forcing it in any way upon others
he himself followed a code of honour that differed from, and was
stricter than, that of the world around him. He was quixotic,
especially in anything to do with money, and often to his own
personal loss. I think we were all the better for having known
him. He seemed hardly to think of himself at all.

No man I ever met was more censorious of his own actions, or more
obstinate in his defence of any principle or theory he was
advocating in argument, no matter how hare-brained it might seem.
We used to spend hours arguing over anything, from free-will to
the "loose-head." I knew, of course, how much he disliked the
class of work (requisitioning of local supplies) he was doing for
me, though no one could have worked harder and few have done it
better; but the commercialism of it was abhorrent to him. It was
his duty to drive a hard bargain and to be one too many for a
knave, and while he did his best to fulfil it he disliked the
task.

I took him down on his first interview for the Tanks, and again
on his transfer; and though I had no share in getting him the
latter, I don't know that I should regret it if I had. For I saw
him several times afterwards. I had a couple of joy-rides in his
land-ship, and I and all others who met him could not but remark
how happy he was. After the Arras show I believe he was simply
radiant. He has died the death he would have chosen and in a good
cause. Many a time he said to me that he was sure he would never
survive the war, and that he