celebrating
December 1st by sitting on the embankment reading back numbers of 'The
Times,' and one of the C.S.'s and I have been painting enormous Red
Crosses on the train.

'Punch' comes regularly now and is devoured by our Mess. We are very
like the apostles, and share everything from cakes and 'Spheres' to
remedies for "Jack Johnsons." Bread-and-butter doesn't happen, alas!

6.30 P.M.--We've just caught up H.M. King George's train at St Omer, but
he is evidently out dining with Sir John French. We are just alongside.
He has red and blue curtains lining the bridges to keep his royal khaki
shoulders from getting smutty. His _chef_ has a grey beard. He is with
Poincare.

_Wednesday, December 2nd._--We got to Chocques very late last night and
are loading up this morning, but only a few here; we shall stop at
Lillers and take more on. We went for our usual exploring walk through
seas of mud. There are more big motor-lorries here than I've seen
anywhere. We wandered past a place where Indians were busy killing and
skinning goats--a horrible sight--to one of these chateaux where the
staff officers have their headquarters: it was a lovely house in a very
clean park; there was a children's swing under the trees and we had some
fine swings.

_Later._--Officers have been on the train on both places begging for
newspapers and books. We save up our 'Punches' and 'Daily Mails' and
'Times' for them, and give them any Sevenpennies we have to spare. They
say at least forty people read each book, and they finish up in the
trenches.

H.M. King George was up here yesterday afternoon in a motor and gave
three V.C.'s.

We have only taken on 83 at the two places. There is so little doing
anywhere--no guns have been heard for several days, and there is not
much sickness. An officer asked for some mufflers for his Field
Ambulance men, so I gave him the rest of the children's: the sailors on
the armoured train had the first half. He came back with some pears for
us. They are so awfully grateful for the things we give them that they
like to bring us something in exchange. Seven men off a passing truck
fell over each other getting writing-cases and chocolate to-day. They
almost eat the writing-cases with their joy.

9 P.M.--We filled up at St Omer from the three hospitals there. A great
many cases of frost-bite were put on. They crawl on hands and knees,
poor dears. Some left in hospital are very severe and have had to be
amputated