e you an idea of how busy I am. When I can, I sleep; otherwise I
work hard. We are looking forward to more tartlets. I do not believe
in riding lessons at present for H----. Let Sheppard teach him. My
father showed me how to hold the reins, and I learnt the remainder
myself. Far and away the best way too....

_February 27th, 1915._

A very cold day with east wind. It will be bitter in the trenches. I
hope the Germans are finding it so! I send you a note from some R.I.C.
Sergeant in Belfast. Your extract from the Irish _Evening Telegraph_
about me is rather amusing! As to your going to Ireland, it is early
yet to decide. Who knows what a day may bring forth at any time? So
poor Mr. Gorton has gone. The people in his village will miss him
greatly. I will try and put a note in this letter for Patience Gorton,
as I know her best, and you can send it on. I always forget the name
of their place. By the way, I remember now that it is called Walesby,
so will post it direct and save you the trouble. I am glad you thought
of sending a wreath. I went for a long ride with the object of seeing
someone in the Border Regt. yesterday whom Major Baker knew. Not one
officer who came out with that regiment is with it now. This gives you
an idea of what is going on here....

ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY BARRACKS,
CHICHESTER PARK, BELFAST.
_February 20th, 1915._

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL G.B. LAURIE.

SIR,

We write to say how very glad we are to see that you are safe and
well. We were delighted to see by the papers that you were among those
mentioned for gallantry in the despatch sent home a few days ago by
Field-Marshal Sir John French. We have tried to locate the different
gentlemen now on active service who had been residing in this
district, and the press is our medium--it was there we learnt you were
at the front, and we are most anxious, and dearly hope that they all,
who were when here so very kind to us, and are now risking their lives
that we may be free--may be restored to their homes in perfect health
and strength.

This is the spirit which prompts the writing of this letter, and we
beg of you not to think us unduly familiar, but rather that we most
sincerely hope that you may have perfect health and strength, and,
above all, that you may, when the time comes, return home safe and
well.