us left.

TO HIS BROTHER.

_July 27th, 1917._

I was charmed to get a letter from you to-day and to hear that
things are progressing so well. It certainly was bad luck for you
in the diving competition. However, better luck next time! I was
delighted to get the _Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News_
with the photographs of the Dulwich College O.T.C. How it does
warm my heart to see even a photograph of the old College and its
surroundings! I note that, barring Scottie and poor Kitter, there
isn't much change in the officers of the Corps. What excellent
fellows they are! Give my love to them all.

Many thanks for the last parcel containing among many acceptable
things a Gaboriau detective novel. I was very anxious to read
this and compare it with good old Sherlock Holmes, whom I still
worship as much as ever.

I have just completed two full continuous years of service in
this country. Well, cheer-oh, old boy! Best luck and much love to
you all!

_P.S._--Have you ever reflected on the fact that, despite the
horrors of the war, it is at least a big thing? I mean to say
that in it one is brought face to face with realities. The
follies, selfishness, luxury and general pettiness of the vile
commercial sort of existence led by nine-tenths of the people of
the world in peace-time are replaced in war by a savagery that is
at least more honest and outspoken. Look at it this way: in
peace-time one just lives one's own little life, engaged in
trivialities, worrying about one's own comfort, about money
matters, and all that sort of thing--just living for one's own
self. What a sordid life it is! In war, on the other hand, even
if you do get killed you only anticipate the inevitable by a few
years in any case, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that
you have "pegged out" in the attempt to help your country. You
have, in fact, realised an ideal, which, as far as I can see, you
very rarely do in ordinary life. The reason is that ordinary life
runs on a commercial and selfish basis; if you want to "get on,"
as the saying is, you can't keep your hands clean.

Personally, I often rejoice that the War has come my way. It has
made me realise what a petty thing life is. I think that the War