told by the A.D.M.S. that it had gone to Havre this journey, and
couldn't be on this line till next week, and we could go to bed. So
after all the embraces of Mme. and Fanny and Isabel, I turned up at
10.30 to ask for a bed. "Ma pauvre demoiselle," said fat F., hastening
to let me in.

This morning Miss ---- came down with us to the A.D.M.S.'s Office to
find out how we could join the train, and he said: "Wait till it comes
in next week, and meanwhile go on duty at the Hospital." I don't mind
anything as long as we do eventually get on to the train, and we are to
do that, so one must possess one's soul in patience. I am back with the
sick officers at No.-- Stationary.

There are rumours to-night of bad news from the front, and that the
German Navy is emerging from Kiel.

_Wednesday, September 30th._--Have been doing the sick officers all day
(or rather wounded). They are quite nice, but the lack of equipment
makes twice the work. We are still having bright sunny days, but it is
getting cold, and I shall be glad of warmer clothes. The food at the
still filthy Inn in a dark outhouse through the back yard has improved a
little! My Madame (in my billet) gives me coffee and bread and butter
(of the best) at 7, and there is a ration tin of jam, and I have
acquired a pot of honey.

_On duty at_ 7.30 A.M.--At 12 or 1 we go to the Inn for _dejeuner_: meat
of some sort, one vegetable, bread, butter, and cheese, and pears. Tea
we provide ourselves when we can.

At 7 or 8 we go to the Inn and have _potage_ (which is warm water with a
few stray onions or carrots in it), and tough cold meat, and sometimes a
piece of pastry (for pudding), bread, butter, and cheese, and a very
small cup of coffee, and little, rather hard pears. I am very well on it
now since they changed the bread, though pretty tired.

_Thursday, October 1st._--The sky in Mid France on October 1st is of a
blue that outblues the bluest that June or any other month can do in
l'Angleterre. It is cold in the early mornings and evenings, dazzling
all day, and shining moon by night.

The H.A.C. are all over the town: they do orderly duty at Headquarters
and all the Offices; they seem to be gentlemen in Tommy's kit; fine big
lot they are. Taking it all round, the Regular British Army on Active
Service--from hoary, beribboned Generals, decorated Staff Officers of
all ranks, other officers, and N.C.O.'s down to the humblest Tommy--is
the politest and best-mannered