ow of the glass lounge where we have services
blew in with a crash this morning, right on the top of them, and it took
some time to sort things out, but eventually they went on, in the middle
of the sentence they stopped at.

A French rag this morning had some cheering telegrams about the
Allies--that left, centre, and right were all more than holding their
own, even if the enemy is rather near Paris. What about the Russians who
came through England? We've heard of trains passing through Oxford with
all the blinds down.

_Thursday, September 10th._--Dazzling day. War news, "L'ennemie se
replie devant l'armee anglaise," and that "Nos allies anglais
poursuivent leur offensive dans la direction de la Marne."--All good so
far. No letters yet.

_Friday, September 11th._--It is said to-day that No.-- is to open at
Nantes immediately. That will mean, at the earliest, in a fortnight,
possibly much longer. We five French speakers are again told to stand by
for special orders, but I know it won't come off.

At early service yesterday among the Intercessions was one for patience
in this time of trial waiting for our proper work. Never was there a
more needful Intercession.

Some of us explored the salt-marshes behind this belt of pines
yesterday, up to the farms and to a little old church on the other side;
it was open, and had a little ship hanging over the chancel. The
salt-marshes are intersected by sea walls--with sea pinks and sea
lavender--that you walk along, and there are masses of blackberries
round the farms.

There are rumours that all the hospitals will be getting to work soon,
but I don't believe it. No.-- has lost all its tent-poles, and a lot of
its equipment in the move from Havre. I believe the missing stuff is
supposed to be on its way to Jersey in the _Welshman_ with the German
prisoners.

_Saturday, September 12th._--Rien a dire. Tous les jours meme chose--on
attend des ordres, ce qui ne viennent jamais.

_Sunday, September 13th._--The hospitals seem to be showing faint signs
of moving. No.-- has gone to Versailles, and No.-- to Nantes. No.--
would have gone to Versailles if they hadn't had the bad luck to lose
their tent-poles in the _Welshman_, and their pay-sheets and a few other
important items.

Had to play the hymns at three services to-day without a hymn-book!
Luckily I scratched up 370, 197, 193, 176, and 285, and God Save the
King, out of my head, but "We are but little children wea