Sloth and Indiference. One would beleive that nothing
worse could happen than a Cook giving notice. Will nothing rouze us to
our Peril? Are we to sit here, talking about housecleaning and sowing
women and how wide are skirts, when the minions of the German Army may
at any time turn us into slaves? Never!

LATER: Carter Brooks has sent me a book on First Aid. Ye gods, what
chance have I at a wounded Soldier when every person of the Femanine
Sex in this Country is learning First Aid, and even hoping for small
accidents so they can practice on them. No, there are some who can use
their hands (i. e. at bandageing and cutting small boils, etcetera.
Leila has just cut one for Henry, the chauffeur, although not yellow
on top and therfore not ready) and there are others who do not care for
Nursing, as they turn sick at the sight of blood, and must therfore use
their brains. I am of this class.

William brought up my tray this morning. I gave him a peircing glance
and said:

"Is the Emblem out?"

He avoided my eye.

"Not yet, miss," he said. "Your father left sharp orders as to being
disturbed before 8 A. M."

"As it is now 9:30," I observed coldly, "there has been time enough
lost. I am HORS DE COMBAT, or I would have atended to it long ago."

He had drawn a stand beside the bed, and I now sat up and looked at my
Tray. The orange was cut through the wrong way!

Had I needed proof, dear log or journal, I had it there. For any BUTLER
knows how to cut a breakfast orange.

"William," I said, as he was going out, "how long have you been a
Butler?"

Perhaps this was a foolish remark as being calculated to put him on his
guard. But "out of the fullness of the Heart the Mouth speaketh." It was
said. I could not withdraw my words.

He turned suddenly and looked at me.

"Me, miss?" he said in a far to inocent tone. "Why, I don't know
exactly." He then smiled and said: "There are some who think I am not
much of a Butler now."

"Just a word of advise, William," I said in a signifacant tone. "A real
Butler cuts an orange the other way. I am telling you, because although
having grape fruit mostly, some morning some one may order an orange,
and one should be very careful THESE DAYS."

Shall I ever forget his face as he went out? No, never. He knew that I
knew, and was one to stand no nonsense. But I had put him on his guard.
It was to be a battle of Intellagence, his brains against mine.

Although regretful at first of h