e his death in action, on July 1st, the
opening day of the offensive, by a young English Officer.[C] One must read
it, if one can, dry-eyed. Not tears, but a steeled will, a purer heart,
are what it asks of those for whom the writer died:--

"I am writing this letter to you just before going into
action to-morrow morning about dawn.

"I am about to take part in the biggest battle that has yet
been fought in France, and one which ought to help to end
the war very quickly.

"I never felt more confident or cheerful in my life before,
and would not miss the attack for anything on earth. The men
are in splendid form, and every officer and man is more
happy and cheerful than I have ever seen them.

"I have just been playing a rag game of football in which
the umpire had a revolver and a whistle.

"My idea in writing this letter is in case I am one of the
'costs,' and get killed. I do not expect to be; but such
things have happened, and are always possible.

"It is impossible to fear death out here, when one is no
longer an individual, but a member of a regiment and of an
army. To be killed means nothing to me, and it is only you
who suffer for it; you really pay the cost.

"I have been looking at the stars, and thinking what an
immense distance they are away. What an insignificant thing
the loss of, say, forty years of life is compared with them!
It seems scarcely worth talking about. Well, good-bye, you
darlings. Try not to worry about it, and remember that we
shall meet again really quite soon.

"This letter is going to be posted _if_...."

The letter was posted. But its message of Death is also a message of
Victory.

MARY A. WARD.

[C] Published in the _Times_.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The War on All Fronts: England's Effort
by Mrs. Humphry Ward

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