You may smile, Sir, but I feel already [sic], when I think about, as I would like to get back the dug out of the 9th Brigade even at the cost of some noisy bursting shells. The worldly life which I have scarcely enjoyed again seems to me an unreasonable life of twaddles and all that had so much charm, a few months ago only, is to me no more than wearisome paradise. How much should I not give to go back! But there is some duty to fulfil and I must go. Here I have everyday some conversations at the Foreign Affairs Department; it will last still two or three days. Then I shall go and see my dear little kids, the squad of whom has been increased with a unity, a boy as expected. Even he belongs to the glorious 1935 class I do not think he has yet a military gait, but that may be attained later on. I am pleased to let you know that I have received the War Cross. It has been granted to me in April last but I did not know it. Of course I was glad to receive it but I should have been more pleased to have it, when with your brigade, as the result of a mention in the dispatches. But I hope, if it is sometimes possible, that you will not forget me when I could get a British order. Perhaps my very merit is to have been wearying you only three months when I could have