n deep mourning for the unburied relative.

_24 November._--This long wait is trying us a bit high. There is
literally nothing to do. We arrange pathetic little programmes for
ourselves. To-day I shall lunch with Mr. Cunard, and see the lace he has
bought: yesterday I did some shopping with Captain Smith: one day I sew
at Lady Georgina's work-party.

Heavens, what a life! I realise that for years I have not drawn rein,
and I am sure I don't require holidays. Moses was a wise man, and he
knew that one day in seven is rest enough for most humans. I always
"keep the Sabbath," and it is all the rest I want. Even here I might
write and get on with something, but there is something paralysing about
the place, and my brain won't work. I can't even write a diary! Everyone
is depressed and everyone longs to be out of Petrograd. To-day we hear
that the Swedes have closed the Haparanda line, and Archangel is frozen,
so here we are.

Now I have got to work at the hospital. There are 25,000 amputation
cases in Petrograd. The men at my hospital are mostly convalescent, but,
of course, their wounds require dressing. This is never done in their
beds, as the English plan is, but each man is carried in turn to the
"salle des pansements," and is laid on an operating-table and has his
fresh dressings put on, and is then carried back to bed again. It is a
good plan, I think. The hospital keeps me busy all the morning. Once
more I begin to see severed limbs and gashed flesh, and the old
question arises, "Why, what evil hath he done?" This war is the
crucifixion of the youth of the world.

[Page Heading: "SPEAKING ONE'S MIND"]

In a way I am learning something here. For instance, I have always
disliked "explanations" and "speaking one's mind," etc., etc., more than
I can say. I dare say I have chosen the path of least resistance in
these matters. Here one must speak out sometimes, and speak firmly. It
isn't all "being pleasant." One girl has been consistently rude to me.
To-day, poor soul, I gave her a second sermon on our way back from
church; but, indeed she has numerous opportunities in this war, and she
is wasting them all on gossip, and prejudices, and petty jealousies. So
we had a straight talk, and I hope she didn't hate it. At any rate, she
has promised amendment of life. One hears of men that "this war gives
them a chance to distinguish themselves." Women ought to distinguish
themselves, too.

"Hesper! Venus! were we nativ