We returned to the orderly room. The orderly officer had a pile of
letters on his right impressed with a red triangle, and contemplated the
completion of his labours with gloomy satisfaction. "But it's very
interesting--such a revelation of the emotions of battle and all that,"
I incautiously remarked. "Oh yes, very revealing," he yawned. "Look at
that"; and he held out a letter. It ran:


DEAR MOTHER--I'm reported fit for duty and am going back
to the Front with the new drafts. I forgot to tell you we were in a
bit of a scrap before I came here. We outed a lot of Huns. How is
old Alf?--

Your loving son, JIM.


The "bit of a scrap" was the battle of Neuve Chapelle. The British
soldier is an artist with the bayonet. But he is no great man with the
pen. Which is as it should be.




III

THE WILTSHIRES


"You talk to him, sir. He zeed a lot though he be kind o' mazed like
now; he be mortal bad, I do think. But such a cheerful chap he be. I