InOctoberRichardreturnedtotheUnitedStatesandsettleddowntocompletehisfirstbookonthewar。DuringthisperiodandindeeduntilthehourofhisdeathmybrotherdevotedthegreaterpartofhistimetothecauseoftheAllies。HehadalwaysbelievedthattheUnitedStatesshouldhaveenteredthewarwhentheGermansfirstoutragedBelgium，andtothiseffecthewrotemanyletterstothenewspapers。
　　InadditiontothishewasmostactiveinvariousofthecharitiesdevotedtothecausesoftheAllies，wroteanumberofappeals，andcontributedmoneyoutofallproportiontohismeans。ThefollowingappealhewrotefortheSecoursNational:
　　"Youareinvitedtohelpwomen，childrenandoldpeopleinParisandinFrance，whereverthewarhasbroughtdesolationanddistress。ToFranceyouoweadebt。Itisnotalonethedebtyouincurredwhenyourgreatgrandfathersfoughtforliberty，andtohelpthem，Francesentsoldiers，shipsandtwogreatgenerals，RochambeauandLaFayette。YouoweFranceforthat，butsincethenyouhaveincurredotherdebts。
　　"ThoughyoumayneverhavevisitedFrance，herart，literature，herdiscoveriesinScience，hersenseofwhatisbeautiful，whetherinabonnet，aboulevardoratriumphalarch，havevisitedyou。Forthemyouarethehappier；andforthemalso，toFranceyouareindebt。
　　"IfyouhavevisitedParis，thenyourdebtisincreasedahundredfold。FortowhateverpartofFranceyoujourneyed，thereyoufoundcourtesy，kindness，yourvisitbecameaholiday，youdepartedwithasenseofrenunciation；youweredeterminedtoreturn。Andwhenafterthewar，youdorevisitFrance，ifyourdebtisunpaid，canyouwithoutembarrassmentsinkintodebtstilldeeper？WhatyousoughtParisgaveyoufreely。Wasittostudyartortolearnhistory，forthehistoryofFranceisthehistoryoftheworld；wasittodineunderthetreesortorobtheRuedelaPaixofanewmodel；
　　wasitforweekstomotoronthewhiteroadsoratacafetablewatchtheworldpass？Whateveryousought，youfound。
　　Now，asin1776wefought，to-dayFrancefightsforfreedom，andinbehalfofalltheworld，againstmilitarismthatis`madeinGermany。'
　　"Hermenareinthetrenches；herwomenareworkinginthefields，sweepingtheParisboulevards，lightingthestreetlamps。Theyareundaunted，independent，magnificentlycapable。Theyasknocharity。Butfromthosedistrictsthewarhaswrecked，therearehundredsofthousandsofwomenandlittlechildrenwithoutwork，shelterorfood。TothemthroughoutthewarzonetheSecoursNationalgivesinstantrelief。InonedayinParisaloneitprovides80，000
　　freemeals。Sixcentspaysforoneofthesemeals。Onedollarfromyouwillforaweekkeepawomanorchildalive。
　　"Thestoryisthatonemansaid，`Inthiswarthewomenandchildrensuffermost。I'mawfullysorryforthem!'andtheothermansaid，`YesI'mfivedollarssorry。Howsorryareyou？'
　　"IfeveryouintendpayingthatdebtyouowetoFrancedonotwaituntilthewarisended。Now，whileyoustilloweit，donotagainimposeyourselfuponherhospitality，hercourtesy，herfriendship。
　　"But，paythedebtnow。
　　"Andthen，whennextinParisyousitatyourfavoritetableandyourfavoritewaiterhandsyouthemenu，willyounotthemoreenjoyyourdinnerifyouknowthatwhilehewasfightingontheAisne，itwasyourprivilegetohelpalittleinkeepinghiswifeandchildalive。"
　　Thewinterof1914-15RichardandhiswifespentinNewYork，andonJanuary4，1915，theirbaby，Hope，wasborn。Noeventinmybrother'slifehadeverbroughthimsuchinfinitehappiness，andduringtheshortfifteenmonthsthatremainedtohimshewasseldom，ifever，fromhisthoughts，andnofathereverplannedmorecarefullyforachild'sfuturethanRicharddidforhislittledaughter。
　　OnApril11mybrotherandhiswifetookHopetoCrossroadsforthefirsttime。Inhisdiaryofthistimehewrites，"OnlyhomeintheworldistheoneIown。Everythingbelongs。
　　Itissocomfortableandthelakeandthestreamsinthewoodswhereyoucangetyourfeetwet。Thethrillofthinkingastumpisatrespasser!Youcan'tdothatontenacres。"
　　AcauseinwhichRichardwasenormouslyinterestedatthistimewasthatofthepreparednessofhisowncountry，andforitheworkedunremittingly。InAugust，1915，hewenttoPlattsburg，wherehetookamonthofmilitarytraining。
　　PLATTSBTTRG，N。Y。
　　August，1915。
　　DEAROLDMAN:
　　Thisisaveryrealthing，andSTRENUOUS。IknownowwhyGodinventedSunday。Thefirsttwodaysweremightyhard，andIhadtoworkextratocatchup。Idon'tknowadarnedthing，andafterwatchingsoldiersforyears，findthatIhavepickedupnothingthattheyhavetolearn。TheonlythingsIhavelearneddon'tcounthere，astheymightundermarchingconditions。MyridingIfindisquitegood，andsoismyrifleshooting。Asyoucouldalwaysbeatmeatthatyoucanseetheconditionsarenothigh。Butbeingusedtothearmysaddlehelpsmealot。IhaveasteeplechaserononesideandaM。F。H。ontheother，andtheycan'tkeepinthesaddle，andhateitwithbitteroaths。Thecampcommandertoldmethatwasacuriousdevelopment；thatthebestgentlemenjockeysandpoloplayersonaccountofthesaddle，weresore，ineverysense。YesterdayIroseat5-30，assembledforbreakfastatsix，tookdowntenttoventilateit，whenacloudmeanlyappeared，andIhadtoputitupagain。Theninheavymarchingorderwedrilledtwohoursasskirmishers，runningandhurlingourselvesattheearth，likefallingontheball，andIalwaysseemedtofallwherethecinderpathcrossedtheparadeground。Wegotbackintimetocleanourselvesfordinneratnoon。Andthenpractisedfiringattargets。Attwoweweredrilledascavalryinextendedorder。Wegallopedtoapoint，advancedonfoot，weredrivenbackbyanimaginaryenemy，andremounted。Wegallopedasasquadron，andthesightwasreallyremarkablewhenyouthinkthemenhadbeentogetheronlyfourdays。Butthehorseshadbeendoingitforyears。AllIhadtodotominewastokeepon。HeknewwhatwaswantedaswellasdidtheCaptain。Afterthatweputonourpacksandparadedatretreattotheband。Thenhadsupperandlistenedtoalecture。Iacheineverybone，muscle，andjoint。Buttheridinghasnotbotheredme。Itisonlyhurlingthedamnedrifleatmyself。AtnineIamsoundasleep。Itcertainlyisagreatexperience，and，allthemenarehelpingeachotherandthespiritissplendid。Themostcuriousmeetingscomeoffandallkindsofmenareatitfromcollegekidstoseveralwhoaregreatgrandfathers。RussellColtturnedupandwasveryfunnyoverhisexperiences。HesaidhesalutedeverybodyandonemanhethoughtwasageneralandstoodatattentiontosalutewasaPullmancarconductor。
　　Thefoodisallyouwant，andverygood。I'vehadnothingtodrink，butsarsaparilla，butwiththethirstwegetitisthebestdrinkIknow。IhaveaskedtohavenolettersforwardedandifIdon'twriteIhopeyouwillunderstandasduringthedaythereisnotaminuteyouareyourownbossandatnightI
　　amtoostiffandsleepytowrite。
　　Alllovetoyou。
　　DICK。
　　DEAREST:
　　Itisnowseven-thirty，andIhavehadtwelvebusyhours。
　　TheymademepassanexaminationasthoughforSingSing，thenamangavemeagunthatatfirstweighedeightpoundsandthentwenty。Hemademedoallsortsofthingswithit，suchassentriesusedtodotome。ThenIwasgiventheguntokeep，andpacks，beds，blankets，andImademyselfathomeinatent；thenIwasmovedtoanothertentwithfiveothermen。ThenIgotahorseandtheygallopedusupanddownafieldfortwohours。I
　　losttenpounds。Thenweweremarchedaroundtoaband。I
　　hadasergeantoneithersideofme，soIdidnotgowrong，OFTEN。Then，achingineveryboneandwithmyheadfilledwithordersandcommands，Igotintothelakeandescaped。
　　YoucanbelieveIenjoyedthatbath。Itcertainlyisafinething，andIamgladIenrolledforeveryonehasbeenasniceascouldbe，butImissyouandHopeterribly。ItseemsyearssinceIsawyou。Iamgoingtomycotquick。Itisnoweighto'clock，andIfeellikeIhadbeenbeateninastonecrusher。KissHope'sfootforme。
　　Yourlovinghusband，DICK。
　　Monday。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　Igotsuchabeautifulletterfromyou!WithpicturesofHopeplayingwiththeBunny。Itisthebestpictureyet。I
　　carryitnexttomyheartbecauseyoumadeit，becauseitisofher。Andshesitsupnow？Well，Iwillmissthebigclothes-basket。Ilovedtoseeherinit。Yearsago，whenI
　　lefthome，shewastryingtocrawloutofit。Whatyoutellmeofher——knowingwhatyoumeanwhenyousay"Kitty"and"Bunny"——iswonderful。Howgooditwillbe!Youmustcomecloseundermyarm，andtellmeeverylittlething。Ifeelsomuchbetternowthatwehavebrokenintothelastweek，andareonthehomestretch。Wehavebrokenthebackboneofthelongabsence，and，thefirstthingyouknow，I'llbetelephoningtohaveyoumeetmeatWhitePlains。
　　Thisismesewingupaholeinmybreeches。Thesocksaredryingontheline，myrubberbathisontheright。IamnowgoingtoCanada。ButI'llbebackinhalfanhour；it'sonly200yardsdistant。AllthefolkshereareFrench，andthesignsareinFrench。LastplacewehaltedIboughtlumberman'ssockstowearatnight。Isleepverywell，forI
　　buymyraincoatfullofhayfromthenearestfarmer，andsleeponthat。Todaywehadanother"battle。"Itbeganat7。30
　　andendedatoneo'clock。Wewerekeptgoingallthattime，taking"cover"behindrailroadembankmentsandstonewallsandinplowedfields，finallyendingwithabayonetcharge。I
　　killedsomanyIstoppedcounting。
　　Don'tletHopeforgetherfather。Betterputonawrist-watchandmyhornspectacles，andholdherthewrongway，soshewillberemindedofherDad。
　　Good-night，mydearestone。YouwillneverknowhowterriblyImissyouandloveyou，andwantyouinmyarms，andyouholdingHopesothatIcanhaveallmyhappinessinonebigarmfulofallthatisgood。
　　YOURLOVINGHUSBAND。
　　Wednesday。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　TheVitagraphpeoplecametoday。Theyhaveagreatfilmtostirpeopletopreparednesscalled"TheBattleCryofPeace。"
　　ItshowsNewYorkdestroyedbyGermans。Theytookpicturesofseveralofthebetter-knownmenshowing"them"preparing。I
　　wastakencleaningmyrifle，and，asthecaptainwaspassing，Iaskedhimtogetinthepicturewithmeandbeshowninstructingme。Hewasdelighted，butrightinthemiddleofthepicturehe"inspected"mybarrel。Ihadnotcleanedit，andheforgotthecamera，andgavemethedevil。Youcanimaginehowthecrowdroared，andthecameradirectormanwasdelighted。Iwanteditretakenshowingthecaptainpattingmeontheback。
　　Rooseveltturneduptoday，andwasverynice。MartinEgancamewithhimandtheBritishNavalAttache，andtheyhaveaskedmetodineatarealtableatHotelChamplainwithtwoothermen。Itwillbefinetoeatoffchina。The"hike"
　　beginsFriday，andwesleepeachnightontheground，butthecountrywemarchthroughisbeautiful。Allthatcountsisgettingthedaysbehindmeandgettingyouinmyarms。Doingone's"bit"forone'scountryisright，butasthemansaid，"GodknowsIlovemycountryandwanttofightforher，butI
　　hopetoGodIneverloveanothercountry。"Good-night，dear，dearone!Howwonderfulitwillbetoseeandhearyouagain。
　　KissHopeforherDad。
　　RICHARD。
　　Saturday。
　　DEAREST:
　　Thisiswritingwithallthelove，butwithdifficulties。I
　　amsittingonalogandthelightisacandle。Todaywehadourfirstfight。IthappenedthesquadofeightmenIaminwassentinadvance，andIwas100yardsinfront，soIwasthefirsttocomeintouchwiththescoutsoftheRedArmy，andIkilledalot。MysquadwassobravethatweallgotkilledTHREETIMES。Butassoonastheumpirerodeawaywewouldcometolife，andgoonfighting。Finally，hetookusprisoners，andmadeussitdownandlookonatthebattle。Aswehadbeenrunningaroundandeachcarryingaforty-poundpack，weweregladtoremaindead。Butwehavedeclaredthatnothingcankillustomorrowbutasphyxiatinggas。Ihaveterriblenightmaresforfearsomethinghashappenedtooneofyou，andthenItrustinthegoodLord，andprayhimtomakethetimepassswiftly。
　　Good-night，andalltheloveandkissesforyouboth。
　　RICHARD。
　　OnOctober19，1915，RichardsailedontheChicagoforFranceandhissecondvisittotheGreatWar。HearrivedatParisonOctober30，andshortlyafterwardvisitedtheWesternfrontatAmiensandArtois。HealsointerviewedPoincare，andthroughhimtheFrenchPresidentsentamessagetotheAmericanpeople。AtthistimemybrotherhadreceivedpermissionfromtheauthoritiestovisitallofthetwelvesectorsoftheFrenchfrontunderparticularlyadvantageousconditions，andwasnaturallymostanxioustodoso。However，throughamisunderstandingbetweenthesyndicateherepresentedandcertainofthenewspapersusingitsservice，hefounditadvisable，evenalthoughagainsthisownjudgment，togotoGreece，andtopostponehisvisittothesectorsoftheFrenchfronthehadnotalreadyseen。OnNovember13heleftParisboundforSalonica。
　　OnWaytoFrance，Oct。18，1915。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　YouaremuchmorebravethanIam。Anyway，youaremuchbetterbehaved。ForallthetimeyouweretalkingIwascrying，notwithmyeyesonly，butwithALLofme。Iamsosad。
　　Iloveyouso，andIwillmissyouso。Iwantyoutokeepsayingtoyourselfallthetime，"Thisisthemostseriouseffortheevermade，becausethechancesofseeinganythingaresoSMALL，andbecauseneverhadhesuchachancetoHELP。But，allthetime，everyminutehethinksofme。Hewantsme。Hemissesmyvoice，myeyes，mypresenceathissidewhenhewalksorsleeps。Heneverlovedmesogreatly，oratleavingmewassounhappyasheisnow。"
　　Goodby，dearheart。MyGod-givenone!Woulditnotbewonderful，iftonightwhenIamupamongtheboatsonthetopdeckthatgirlinthePierrotsuit，andinherarmsHope，came，andItookthemandheldthemboth？Youwillwalkwithheratfive，andIwillwalkandthinkofyouandloveyouandlongforyou。
　　Godkeepyou，dearestofwives，andmothers。
　　RICHARD。
　　October24。
　　MYDEARDAUGHTER:
　　SomanyweekshavepassedsinceIsawyouthatbynowyouareabletoreadthiswithoutyourmotherlookingoveryourshoulderandhelpingyouwiththebigwords。Ihavesixsetsofpicturesofyou。EverydayItakethemdownandchangethem。ThoseyourdearmotherputinglassframesIdonotchange。Also，Ihaveallthesweetfruitsandchocolatesandredbananas。Howgoodofyoutothinkofjustthethingsyourfatherlikes。SomeofthemIgavetoalittleboyandgirl。
　　Iplaywiththembecausesoonmydaughterwillbeasbig。
　　Theyhavenomotherlikeyou，OFCOURSE；theyhavenomotherlikeYOURS——forexceptmymotherthereneverwasamotherlikeyours；soloving，sotender，sounselfishandthoughtful。Ifsheisreadingthis，kissherforme。Theselittlechildrenhavealittlefather。Hedressesthemandbathesthemhimself。Heisafraidofthecold；andsitsinthesun；andcoughsandshivers。HischildrenandIplayhide-and-seek，and，asyouwillknowsomeday，forthatgamethereisnosuchplaceasasteamer，withboatsandventilatorsandmastsandalleyways。
　　Somedaywewillplaythatgamehidingbehindtherocksandtreesandrosebushes。EverydayIwatchthesunset，andknowthatyouandyourprettymotherarewatchingit，too。
　　AndalldayIthinkofyouboth。
　　Beverygood。Donotbumpyourself。Donoteatmatches。Donotplaywithscissorsorcats。Donotforgetyourdad。
　　Sleepwhenyourmotherwishesit。Loveusboth。Trytoknowhowweloveyou。THATyouwillneverlearn。Good-nightandGodkeepyou，andblessyou。
　　YOURDAD。
　　PARIS，November1。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　Todayis"moving"day，andIfeellike——censoredword，atthethoughtofyourhavingthemovingtodirectandmanagebyyourself。IcanpictureBarneyandBurkeloading，andunloading，andcoalandwoodbeingstored，andprovisionsandice，andfinallyHopebroughtdowntotakeherthird——no——fourthmotorride。AndGodwillseeshemakesitallsafely，andthatinhernewhouseyouarecomfortable。
　　LastnightIdreamedaboutHopeandyou，alongdream，anditmademesohappy。Somethinghappenedtodaythatyouwillliketohear。WhenthewarcametheFrenchstudentsattheBeauxArtshadtogotofight。Thewivesandchildrenhadnothingtoliveon。So，theAmericanstudents，aboutadozenofthem，organizedareliefleague。TheBeauxArtsisinamostwonderfulpalacebuiltbyCardinalRichelieuanddecoratedlaterbyNapoleon。Inthistheyweregatheringsocks，asphyxiatingmasks，warmclothes。Theywerehandpaintingpostcardsforfiftycentsapiece。The"masters"astheycalltheirteachers，alsowerepaintingthem。Igavethemsomemoneywhichwasreceivedpolitely，but，asitwouldnotgofar，withoutmuchenthusiasm。AsIwasgoing，Isaid，"I'llbebacktomorrowtogetsomefactsandI'llwriteastoryaboutwhatyou'redoing。"
　　Thisisthepartthatisembarrassingtowrite，butyouwillunderstand。TheygaveacheerandayelljustasthoughIhadsaid，"Peaceisdeclared"or"IwillgiveyouCarnegie'sfortune。"Andtheydancedaround，andshookhands，andWhitneyWarren，whoisattheheadofit，allbutcried。
　　Later，hetoldmetheletterIhadwrittenforhiswife'sfundfororphansbythewarhadbroughtin$5000，thatwaswhytheyweresopleased。Sowe，youandI，willtrytolookatitthatway，andtrytobelievethatfromthisseparation，whichiscruelforus，othersmaygetsomebenefit。Tomorrow，IamtobereceivedattheElyseebythePresident，andIamgoingtotrytomakehimsaysomethingthatwilldrawmoneyfromAmericafortheFrenchhospitals。Ifhewillonlyask，Iknowourpeoplewillgive。Inadayortwo，IthinkIwillbeallowedtoseesomething，but，thatyouwillknowbestbyreadingTheTimes。
　　Yourlovinghusbandislonelyforyou，andsoitwillbealways。
　　RICHARD。
　　November17th。
　　DEARSWEETHEART:
　　MylastletterwassuchacomplainingonethatIamashamed。
　　But，notleavingmetodecidewhatwasbestforthepapers，madememad。SinceIwrote，Ioughttobemadder，forIhavebeentothetrenchesoutsideofRheimsinChampagne；and，hadtheynotdeviledthespiritoutofmewithcables，IbelieveI
　　couldhavewrittensuchalotofstoriesofFrancethatnooneelsehashadtheopportunitytowrite。Believemenoonehasyettoldthestoryofthetrenchwar。Anyway，inspiteofallthephotographsandarticles，tomeitwasallnew。Iwasallowedtogoalone，andgivencarteblanchetoseewhateverIwished。Isaweverything，butitwouldnotbepossibletowriteofityet。Itwaswonderful。Iwasinthethreelines，reachingtheFIRSTlinebymoonlight。Noonespokeaboveawhisper。TheGermanswereonly300to400yardsdistant。Butworstofallweretherats。TheyranovermyfeetandIwasadarnedsightmoreafraidofthemthantheGermans。IsawtheCathedral，andtheonlyhotelopenfromwhichIsentyouandHopeapostalwasthesameoneinwhichwestoppedayearago。IhadsentthehotelmybookinwhichIsaidcomplimentarythings，andIgotagreatwelcome。Theyevengavemearoomwithafireinit，andsoIwaswarmforthefirsttimesinceIlefttheCrossroads。AndthismorningitSNOWED。OnmywaybacktoParis，IstoppedtotelltheGeneralwhatIhadseenandtothankhim。Hesaid，"Oh，thatisnothing。Whenyoureturn，Iwilltakeyououtmyself，andIwillshowyousomethingworthwhile。"Iamgoingtocarryarat-trap，andtwoterriersonaleash。Tonight，whenIgotback，therewasaletterfromyou，butnowriting，buttherewasaphotoofHer，andmeholdingher。Howisitpossiblethatanylivingthingissobeautifulasmychild？
　　Howfat，andwonderful，anddear，andlovable，andhowterriblyIwanttoholdherasIamholdingherinthepicture，andhowmuchbetterasIreallydon'tneedmyleftarmtoholdsuchamite，ifIhadyouclosetomeinit。I
　　missyouso，andloveyouso!ItoldWheelerbeforeIleftasIwasnotgoingtowastetimetravelingIwouldnotgotoServia。So，assoonasIarrived，Iwasfrettedwithcablestogo。Icabledtostopgivingmeadvice，thatIhadamuchbetterchanceinFrancethananyonecouldhaveanywhereelse。
　　Maybe，beforeIarrive，theGreekswillhavejoinedtheGermans，inwhichcase，IWON'TLEAVETHESHIP。I'llcomestraightbackonhertotheAllies。
　　RICHARD。
　　November20th。
　　ThisisthewayHope'scatlooks，"Mywhiskers!"shesays，"I
　　neverknewIwastobeletinforanythinglikethis!"WhenI
　　toldheraboutthebigratsinthetrenchesshewantedtogowithmenexttime，but，todaywhenItoldherthattheCrownPrinceofServiamadehisservantseatlivemiceheisnolongerCrownPrince，shelookedjustasshedoesinthepicture。"Then，whatdo_I_eatinServia？"shesaid，andI
　　toldherbothofuswouldliveongoat'smilk。
　　YouwillbegladwhenItellyouIhavebeen，warm。Wecameprettyfarsouthintwodays，and，thedampchillofParisisgone。Onthetrainafunnythinghappened。AnEnglishofficerandIgottalkingandhewaspresscensoratSalonicawhereIamgoingafterAthens。IaskedhimtolookoverthemanylettersIhadandtellmeifanyofthemwouldbelikelytogetmeinbad，beingaddressedtopro-Germans，forexample。
　　Hesaid，"Well，THISchapisallrightanyway。I'llvouchforhim，becausethisletterisaddressedtome。"
　　SEETHECAT!
　　HOPEGAVETHECATTOHERDAD。
　　ISTHECATSAD？
　　YES
　　ISTHEDADSAD？
　　VERY!!
　　WHYISTHECATANDTHEDADSAD？
　　THEYWANTHOMEANDHOPE。
　　DOTHEYLOVEHOPE？
　　DON'TMAKETHEMLAUGH!
　　Weleave，theBasses，theEnglishofficerandI，inasmalltubofaboatforPatras，andtraintoAthens。
　　IwilltrytogoatoncetoServia。Harjes，whoaretheParishouseofJ。P。Morgan，gavemea"mission"totryandorganizefortheServiansthesameformofreliefashasbeenarrangedfortheBelgians。HegavemepermissionifIsawtheneedforhelpwasimminentanditwillbetocablehimforwhateverI
　　thoughttheSerbsmostneeded。So，itisachancetodomuch。
　　Togetoutnewswillbeimpossible。However，hereIamandtomorrowI'llbegoodandseasick。
　　Ihaveyourcharmaroundmyneck，andallthepictures，andtheluck-bringingcat，andthescapular，andtheloveyougivemetokeepmewellandbringussoontogether。ThatistheonethingIwant。Godblessyouboth，Hope'sdadandyourhusband。
　　ATHENS，November26th。
　　DEARHEART:
　　IamofftonightforSalonica。IamnotverycheerfulforI
　　missyouvery，veryterribly，andthefurtherIgo，theworseIfeel。ButnowIamnearlyasfarasIcanget，andwhenyoureceivethisIwill——thankGod——beturnedbacktoParis，andLondon，andHOME!IthoughtsooftenofyouthismorningwhenItookaholidayandclimbedtheAcropolis。OnthetopofitIpickedadandelionforyou。Itwasgrowingbetweentheblocksofmarblethathavebeentheresince400yearsbeforeourLord:beforeSt。PaulpreachedtotheAthenians。I
　　wasallaloneontherock，andcouldseeovertheAEgeanSea，Corinth，MountOlympus，wheretheGodsusedtosit，andtheSphinxlayinwaitfortravelerswithherfamousriddle。IttakestwodaysandonenighttogotoSalonica，andtheboatsaresoawfulnooneundressesbutsleepsinhisclothesontopofthebed。
　　Goodby，sweetheart，andgiveSUCHakisstomypreciousdaughter。Howbeautifulsheis。Eventhewaiterwhobroughtmeacardstoppedtoexclaimaboutherpicture。So，ofcourse，beingnotatallproudIshowedhimherinmyarms。I
　　wantyoubothsoandIloveyoubothSO。And，IwantedyousothismorningasIalwaysdowhenthereisabeautifullandscape，orflowers，orpalms。Iknowhowyoulovethem。
　　ThedandelionisverymodestandIhopethecensorwon'tloseitout，forshehasalongwaytogoandcarriesaburdenoflove。IwishIwasbringingtheminthedooroftheScribnercottageatthisveryminute。
　　RICHARD。
　　VOLO，November27。
　　Igotheretoday，afterthedarnedestvoyageoftwodaysinasmallsteamer。Weranthroughasnowstormandtherewasnowaytowarmtheboat。So，IDIED。Youknowhowcoldaffectsme——well——thiswasthecoldestcoldIeverdiedof。I
　　pouredalcoholinme，anditwaslikedrinkingicedtea。Now，Iamonshoreinacafenearastove。WecontinueontoSalonicaatmidnight。Thereare24menandonewoman，Mrs。
　　Bass，onboard。IammuchtoohomesicktowritemorethantosayIloveyou，andImissyouandHopeso，thatIdon'tlookatthephotos。DidyougetthecableIsentThanksgiving——fromAthens，itread:"AmgivingthanksforHopeandyou。"Ihopethecensorletthatgetbyhim。TheboatIwasonwasarefrigeratorship；itwasalsopeculiarinthatthecaptaindealtbaccaratalldaywiththepassengers。
　　Itwasasortoffloatinggamblinghouse。Thisiscertainlyastrangeland。Snowandrosesandoranges，allatonce。I
　　muststop。I'mfroze。GivethekissIwanttogivetoHer，andknow，oh!howIloveandloveandlovehermother——NEVER
　　SOMUCHASNOW。
　　SALONICANovember30th，1915。
　　DEAROLDMAN:
　　IgotheretonightandfounditthemostpicturesquespotI
　　evervisited。IamgladIcame。ItwasimpossibletogetaroombutIfoundJohnMcCutcheonandtwoothermenoccupyingagrandsuiteandtheyhavehadacotputinforme。To-morrowIhopetogetaroom。TheplaceisfilledwitheverynationexceptGermansandeventheyarehereoutofuniforms。Wehadastrangetimecoming。ThetripfromAthensshouldhavetakentwonightsandadaybutwetookfour。TheCaptainoftheboatanchoredandplayedbaccaratwheneverhethoughttherewereenoughpassengersnotseasicktomakeitworthhiswhile。
　　Heplayedfromeleveninthemorninguntilfourinthemorning。Idon'tknownowwhorantheship。Itissocoldwhenyoubathe，thesteamrunsoffyou。Ineverhavesufferedso。But，itlookedasthougheveryoneelsewassinging"Itsgoingtobeahard，hardwinter"fromthewaythey，dress。
　　TomorrowIamgoingtobuyfurpants。Youcan'tbelievewhatapictureitis。Servians，French，Greeks，Scotsinkilts，Londonmotorcars，Turks，woundedandbandagedTommiesandmillionsofthemfightingforfood，fordrink，foraplaceatthe"movies，"andmore"rumors"thantherearewordsinthedirectory。To-morrow，Ipresentmylettersandhopetogettothe"front。"Ionlyhopethefrontdoesn'tcometous。But，itoughttobeaplaceforgreatstories。Alllovetoyouoldman，andblessyouboth。HowIlookforwardtoourfirstlunchinyourwonderfulhome!Andtositinfrontofyourfire，andhearallthenews。Alllovetoyouboth。
　　RICHARD。
　　December6，1915。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　Ihavebeenawaysocouldnotwrite。TheytookustotheFrenchandEnglish"front"andawayfromGreece；wewereinBulgariaandServia。Itwasataplacewherethethreeboundariesmet。Wesawremarkablemountainrangesanddeepsnow，andsomefineartillery。Butthrowingshellsintothatbleak，whitejumbleofsnowandrocks——therewasfiftymilesofit——waslikethrowingabaseballattheRockyMountains。Still，itwasseeingsomething。Now，Ihavearoom，andaverywonderfulone。Ihadtobribeeveryoneinthehoteltogetit；andIhavesomethingtowriteand，nomoremovingaboutI
　　hope，foratleastaweek。Iamabletoseetheshipsatanchorformiles，andthelandingstageforallthewarshipsisjustundermywindow。AsnearasMcCoyRockfromtheterrace。Itislikeamovingpictureallthetime。IboughtmyselfanoilstoveandacanofStandardoil，and，insteadoftryingtowarmthehotelwithmybody，IletGeorgedoit。
　　Butitisaverysmallstove，andtoreallygetthegoodofit，Ihavetositwithitbetweenmylegs。Still，itissucharelieftobealone，andnottopackallthetime。
　　McCutcheonandBass，HareandShepherdarefine，butIfeltlikethedevil，imposingonthem，andworkingfourinaroomisnojoke。Wedinetogethereachnight。Exceptthem，Iseenoone，buthavebeenwriting。Also，IhavebeencollectingfactsaboutServianrelief。Harjes，Morgan'srepresentativeinParis，gavemecarteblanchetocallonhimformoneyorsupplies；butIwaiteduntiltodaytocable，soastobesurewherehelpwasmostneeded。Itisstillcold，butthatAWFULcoldspellwasquiteunprecedentedandisnotlikelytocomeagain。INEVERsufferedsofromcold，and，asyouknow，Isufferconsiderable。AlltheEnglishofficerswhohadhuntedincoldplaces，saidneitherhadtheyeverfeltsuchcold。SevenhundredTommieswerefrostbittenandtoesandfingersfelloff。Idonotsayanythingabouthowawfulitisnottohear。But，ifIhadhadyourlettersforwardedtothisdumpoftheLevant，Ineverwouldhavegotthem。Now，IhavetowaitforthemuntilIgettoParis，butthereIwillsurelygetthem。Cables，ofcourse，canreachme，butnocablesmeantomethatyouareallright。NordoIwantto"talk"aboutChristmas。
　　YouknowhowIfeelaboutthat，andaboutmissingthefirstoneSHEhashad。ButitwillbetheLASTonewewillknowapart。
　　Neveragain!
　　Iwantyouinmyarmsandtohearyoulaughandseeyoureyes。
　　Iaminneedofyoutomakeafussoverme。McCutcheonandCo。don'tcarewhetherIhavecoldhandsornot。Youdo。
　　Yourointmentandglovessavedmyfingersfromfallingofflikethesoldiers'did。Andyour"housewife"Iusetoputonbuttons，and，yourscapularandmedalkeepmewell。Butyourloveiswhatreallyliftsmeupandconsolesme。WhenIthinkhowyouandIcareforeachother，then，Iamscared，foritisverybeautiful。Andwemustnoteverbeawayfromeachotheragain。Godkeepyoumybeloved，andbothmyblessings。
　　Icannotbearit——whenIthinkofallIammissingofher，and，allthatsheisdoing。Godguardyouboth。MydarlinganddearwifeandmotherofHope。
　　Yourhusband，RICHARD。
　　SALONICA，December18th。
　　DEARESTWIFEANDSWEETHEART:
　　Iamverybluetonight，andNEVERwassohomesick。
　　YesterdayjusttofeelIwasintouchwithyouIsentacablethroughthefog，itsaid，"Well，homesick，alllovetoyouboth。"IdidnotaskifyouandHopewerewell，becauseI
　　KNOWthegoodLordwillnotletanyharmcometoyou。Iamcertainlycaughtbytheheelsthistime。Anditwillbethelasttime。Asyouknow，ImeantonlytogotoFrancewherenotimewouldbewastedintravel，andIwouldbeabletogetbacksoon。
　　Buttheblockadehelduptheshipandontheotheronethecaptainstayedatanchor，and，thenwhenIgothere，theAlliesretreated，andIhadtostayontocoverwhatistocomenext。
　　Whatthatis，orwhethernothinghappens，youwillknowbythetimethisreachesyou。So，hereIam。ForTENdaysuntilthismorningwehaveneverseenthesun。Insixtyyearsnothinglikeithashappened。TheSalonicanssaidtheEnglishtransportsbroughtthefogwiththem。Anyway，Igotit。Myroomisrightontheharbor。IneverthoughtIwouldLOVE
　　anoilstove。Ialwaysthoughttheywereill-smelling，air-destroying。Butthisonesavedmylife。Iwrotewithitbetweenmyknees，Idrymylaundryonit，andusethetinpanontopofittotakethedampnessoutofthebed。Thefogkepteverythinglikeasponge。Coalisthirtydollarsaton。
　　Togetwoodforfirewoodtheboatmenrowmilesout，andwaitbelowthetransportstogettheboxestheythrowoverboard。I
　　goaroundaskingEVERYBODYifthisplaceisnotnowadeadduckfornews。Buttheyallgivemenoencouragement。Theysayitisthenewscenteroftheworld。Ihopeitchokes。I
　　trytocomfortmyselfbythinkingyouarehappy，becauseyouhaveHope，andIhavenobody，exceptJohnMcCutcheonandBassandJimmieHare，andtheyareasblueasIam，andnoonecangetanymoney。IcabledtodaytoWheelerforsomeviatheStateDepartment。IwenttotheServiancampforthelittleorphanswhosefathershavebeenkilled，andtheyallkneltandkissedmyhands。Itwasawful。IthoughtofHope，andhuggedafewandcarriedthemaroundinmyarmsandfeltmuchbetter。
　　Todayforthefirsttime，IquitworkandwenttoseeanAmericanfilmatthecinematocheerme。ButwhenIsawthestreetcars，and"readytowear"clothes，andthepolicemenIgotsuicidal。I
　　wentbackandtoldtheothersandtheyallrushedofftosee"home"things，andaretherenow。Thisisayellofaletter，butit'stheonlykindIcanwrite。Mystoriesandcablesarerotten，too。Ihaveseennothing——justtraveledandwaitedforsomethingtohappen。Goodnight，dearestone。Iloveyouso。
　　YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyou。Kissmydarlingforme，and，thinkonlyofthegooddayswhenwewillbetogetheragain。Suchgooddays。Goodnightagain——alllove。
　　RICHARD。
　　HARBORSALONICA，December19th。
　　Iamahappymantonight!AndthatisthefirsttimeIhavebeenabletosaysosinceIleftyou。Thebackboneofthetripisbroken!andmyfaceisturnedWest——towardyouandHope。JohnMcCutcheongavemeafarewelldinnertonightofwhichIgotonehalf，asthepolicemademegoonboardatnine，althoughwedonotsailuntilfiveinthemorning。Sotherewastimeforonlyonetoast，asIwasmakingforthedoor。Wasittoyourhusband？Itwasnot。ItwastoHopeDavis，twoweeksyetofbeingoneyearold，andbeingtoastedbythewarcorrespondentsinSalonica。Theyknewitwouldpleaseme。AndIwentawayverychokenandhappy。SUCHaboatasthisis!Ihaveasofainthedining-room，andatpresentitisjammedwithrefugeesandallsmokingandnotanairportopen。Whatareliefitwillbetooncemoregetamongcleanpeople。WemusthelptheServians，andGodknowstheyneedhelp。But，iftheywouldhelpeachother，orthemselves，Iwouldlikethembetter。Iamnowondeckunderthecargolightand，onthetopflooroftheOlympusHotel，canseeJohn'sdinnergrowinggayerandgayer。Itislikethemanwhowentonahoneymoonalone。Iamsohappytonight。YouseemsonearnowthatIamcomingWest。
　　HowterriblyIhavemissedyou，andwantedyou，andlongedforyourvoiceandLAUGH，andtohaveyouopenthedoorofmywritingroom，andsay，"Aladyiscomingtocallonyou，"andthenenterthedearestwifeanddearestbabyintheworld!
　　Godblessyou，andallmylove。
　　RICHARD。
　　ROME，ChristmasEve，1915。
　　MYDEAREST，DEAREST，DEAREST:
　　IplannedtogettoParislateChristmasnight。IcabledFrazierattheEmbassy，tohaveallmylettersattheHoteldel'Empire。IMEANTtospendthenightreadingofyouandHope。ImadearecordtripfromSalonica。ByleavingthesecondsteameratMessinaandtakinganeighteen-hourtripacrossItalyIsavedtenhours。ButwhenIgothereIfoundtheFrenchConsulhadtakenaholiday，ANDWASOUTBUYING
　　CHRISTMASPRESENTS!So，IcouldnotgetpermissiontoenterFrance。WithsomeRedCrossAmericans，IragedaroundtheFrenchConsulate，butitwasnouse。SoIamhere，andcannotleaveUNTILMIDNIGHTCHRISTMAS。WhenIfoundIcouldnotgetaway，ItoldCook'stogivemetheirrapid-fireguide，andIsetouttoSEEROME。TheManagerofCook'swasthesamemanwho，19yearsago，soldmeticketstotheGreekwarinFlorence，whentheAmericanConsulatewasinthesamebuildingwithCook's，andCharleywasConsul。Sohegavemeagreatguide。Webeganattenthismorningandwestoppedatsix。
　　TheysayittakesfiveyearstoseeRome，butwhenIlettherapid-fireguideescape，hesaidhehadtocomplimentme；weclimbedmorestairwaysandhillsthanthereareinallNewYorkandWestchesterCounty；andthereisjustoneideainmymind，andthatisthatyouandImustseethissacredplacetogether。OnallthistripIhavewantedYOU，butNEVER
　　soastoday。AndIparticularlyinquiredaboutthemilk。Itissaidtobeexcellent。Sowewillcomehere，andyou，withallyourloveofwhatisfineandbeautiful，willbeveryhappy，andHopewilllearnItalian，andtoknowwhatisbestinart，andstatuesandchurches。Ihaveseen2900churches，andallofthembuiltbyMichaelAngeloanddecoratedbyRaphael；
　　anditwassowonderfulIcried。Iboughtcandlesandprayers，andIamafraidChristianSciencehadadullday。
　　Tomorrowwestartatnine，andgotohighmassatSt。Peter's，andthenintothecountrytothecatacombs，wheretheearlyChristianshidfromtheRomans。ItisnotwhatyouwouldcallanEnglishChristmas，butitissobeautifulandwonderfulthatyouBOTHAREVERYNEAR。
　　Isentyouacable，thesecondone，becauseitisnotsuretheyareforwarded，andIhungupastockingforHope。OneofthepeasantwomenmadeinSalonica。Iambringingitwithme。
　　Andthecatisonmywindow——stilllookingoutontheRomans。
　　ThegreenleafIgotintheforum，whereMarkAntonymadehisspeechoverCaesar'sbody。ItistheplantthatgavePericlestheideaoftheCorinthiancolumn。Youremember。Itwasgrowingunderatilesomeonehadlaidoverit——andtheyellowflowerwasonmytableatdinner，soIsendit，thatwemayknowonChristmasEvewedinedtogether。
　　Good-night，now，andGodblessyou。Iamofftobednow，inabedwithsheets。Thefirstinsixdays。HowILOVEyou，andLOVEyou。SuchgoodwishesIsendyou，andsuchlovetoyouboth。MaythegoodLordblessyouashehasblessedme——withthebestofwomen，withthebestofdaughters。Iamaproudhusbandandaproudfather；andsoonIwillbeaHAPPYhusbandandaHAPPYfather。
　　Good-night，dearheart。
　　RICHARD。
　　PARIS，December28th，1915。
　　DEAROLDMAN:
　　HurrahfortheDictator!Hehasbeenagreatgoodfriendtome。Iwillknowto-dayaboutwhetherIcangobacktotheFrenchfront。IfnotIwilltrytheBelgiansandthenLondon，andhome。IspentChristmasdayinRomeinthecatacombs。I
　　couldnotwearmyheartuponmysleeveforduchessestopeckat。Itisjustasyousay，DadandMothermadethedaysodearandbeautiful。IdidnotknowhowgladIwouldbetobebackhereforwhilethetripEastledtononewsvalue，tomepersonallyitwasinteresting。ButIamterriblytiredafterthelastninedays，sleepingonsofas，decks，adifferentdeckeachnightandwritingallthetimeandsuchpoorstuff。But，oh!whenIsawParisIknewhowgladIwas!WHATabeautifulplace，whatakindcourteouspeople。Wewillallbeheresomeday。TellDaishemustbemyinterpreter。Alllovetoher，andyou，andgoodlucktothesyndicate。YOUR
　　syndicate。Ihavenotheardfrommineforsixweeks。Theyhavenotsentmeasingleclippingofanything，soIdon'tknowwhetheranythinggotthroughornot，andI
　　havenothingtoshowthesepeopleherethatmightencouragethemtosendmeoutagain。Theycertainlyhavemadeithardhoeing。TellGuveyhisletteraboutthetoyswasagreatsuccesshere，andcopiedintoseveralpapers。
　　Goodbye，andGodblessyou，andgoodlucktoyou。
　　DICK。
　　PARIS，December31st，1915。
　　DEAROLDMAN:
　　TowishyouandDaiaHappyNewYear。Itwillmeanalottouswhenwecangettogether，andtakeittogether，goodandbad。IamawfullypleasedoverthenovelcomingoutbytheHarper'sand，inlandingsomuchformeoutofTheDictator。
　　YouhavestartedtheNewYearformesplendidly。IexpectI
　　willbebackaroundthefirstofFebruary。Iamnowtryingto"getback，"but，Ineedmoretime。Icanonlyputthetripdowntothewrongsideoftheledger。Personally，Igotalotoutofit，butIamnotsentoverheretoimprovemyknowledgeofEurope，buttofurnishnewsandstoriesandthathasnothappened。
　　IamconstantlyrunningagainstfolkswhoknewyouinFlorence，andIregrettosaymostofthemareinbusinessattheChathambar。Whatastorytheymake；theM——'sandthelike，whoknowParisonlyfromthecocktailside。Oneofourattachestoldmeto-dayhehadbeenlunchingforthelast18
　　monthsatthegrillroomoftheChatham，wherethe"mixedgrill"wasasgoodasinNewYork。Hehadnoknowledgeofanyotherplacetoeat。TheHoteldel'Empireisaterribletragedy。Theyaresopoor，thatIbelieveitismyeightfrancsadaykeepsthemgoing；nothingelseisinsight。But，itistheexception。NeverdidapeopletakeawarastheFrenchtakethisworstofallwars。Theyreallyarethemostsplendidofpeople。
　　IonlywishIcouldhavehadoneofthemforagrandfatherorgrandmother。BessiewritesthatHopeisgrowingwonderfullyandbeautifully，andIamsickforasightofher，andforyou。GoodnightandGodblessyouandthehappiestofNewYearstoyouboth。
　　Yourlovingbrother，DICK。
　　Thesepostcardsare"originals"paintedbystudentsoftheBeaux-Artstokeepalive，andtokeepthosestudentsinthetrenches。TheyareforDai。
　　PARIS，December31，1915。
　　DEARESTONE:
　　Theoldyear，thedear，oldyearthatbroughtusHope，isveryneartheend。Iamnotgoingtowatchhimgo。IhavedrunktotheNewYearandtomywifeanddaughter，andbeforethereis"anewsteponthefloor，andanewfaceatthedoor，"I
　　willbeasleep。Ofallmymanyyears，theoldyear，thatissosoontopassaway，hasbeenthebest，forithasbroughtyoutomewithaclosertie，hasaddedtotheloveIhaveforeverybreathyoubreathe，foryourlaughandyoursmile，anddeepconcern，thatcomesifyouthinkyourworthlesshusbandisworried，orcross，ordismayed。EachyearIloveyoumore；
　　forIknowyoumore，andtoknowmoreofthelovelysoulyouare，istolovemore。Justnowweareinahardplace。Iamsureyoucannotcomprehendhowherfather，her"Dad"andyourhusbandcankeepaway。NeitherdoIunderstand。
　　But，forbothyoursakes，Iwant，beforeIownupthatthisadventurehasbeenafailure，totryandpullsomethingoutofthewreck。IfthegovernmentsaysICAN，thenIstillmaybeabletodosomething。Ifitsays，"NO，"thenit'sHome，boys，Home，andthat'swhereIwanttobe。It'shome，boys，home，intheoldcountree。'Neaththeash，andtheoak，andthespreadingmapletree，it'shome，boys，home，tomineowncountree!ThisisHopeandyou。Soknow，thatingettingtoyouIhavenotthrownawayaminute。Ihavebeenaslave-driver，toothersaswellastomyself。Butyoucannotgetfavorswithawhip；and，theFrenchwarofficehasothermatterstooccupyit，thatitconsidersofmoreimportancethananimpatientwarcorrespondent。Solongasyouunderstand，itwillnotmatter。Nothinghurts，exceptthatyoumaynotunderstand。ThemomentIseeyou，andyouseeme，youwillunderstand。So，goodnight，andGodblessyou，you，mytwoblessings。Hereistoourownyearof1915，youryearandHope'syear，and，becauseIhaveyouboth，myyear。I
　　sendyoualltheloveinalltheworld。
　　RICHARD。
　　January5，1916。
　　MYDEARESTONE:
　　WHATPICTURES!WHATHAPPINESS!WhataproudRichard!OntopofmywritingyesterdaythatIhadhadnosketchesofyours，andnokodaksofHope，eightcameto-night，andoh!I
　　amsoproud，sohomesick。Whatawonderfulnurseandmotheryouare!Waseverthereanythingsolovable？Andthatsheshouldbeours，toholdandtolove，andtomakehappy。TheselasteightdaysinParis，inandout，havemademesohomesickforthoseIlove，thatyouwillneverknowwhatthedelaysmeant。
　　Ifeltjustthewaypoorwomenfeelwhokidnapbabies。IntheparksIknowthenurse-maidsareafraidofme。Istickmyheadunderthehoodsofthebabycarriages，andstopandstandwatchingthematplay。Andtonightwhenallthesebeautifulpicturescame，Iwasthehappiestfatheranywhere。
　　Thedelaywasnoone'sfault，notmineanyway，norcanIblameanyone。Thesepeoplearesplendid。Theyarewillingtodoanythingforone，butittakestime。Whentheyarefightingfortheirlivesandhavenotseentheirownbabiesinayear，thatyouwanttoseeyoursisonlynaturalandtoobligeyoutheycan'tseewhytheyshouldupsetthewholewar。ButnowitlookslessasthoughIwouldhavetocallitafailure。
　　AndHopemaybeproudofme，andyoumaybeproudofme，andI
　　willhaveenoughammunitiontodrawonformanyarticlesandletters，andanotherbook。
　　Ithasbeenacrueltime；andwhenItellyouhowIworkedtogetitover，andtobebackwithyou，youwillunderstandmanythings。ThemostimportantofallwillbehowIloveyou。
　　OnlywaituntilIcanlayeyesonyou，youwilljusttakeonelookandknowthatitcouldn'tbehelped，thatthedelaywastheworkofothers，that，allIwantedwasmyBessieandmyHope。
　　Howheavyshewillbe，ifsheisanythinglikethepictureofheronthecoverlet，sheisaprizebaby。AndifsheisanythinglikeasbeautifulasinthebabycarriagesheisanangelstraightfromGod。Iwanttositinthegreenchairandhaveyouononekneeandhermajestyontheother，andhaveherclimboverme，andpullmyhairandbangmynose，andintimetoknowhowIloveyouboth。
　　Goodnight，dearheart，Iwishyouhadhadyourselfinthepicture。IhavethreeinthesummertimewithyouholdingherandthatisthewayIliketoseeyou，thatisthewayIthinkofyou。Iloveyou，andIloveherformakingyousohappy，andIloveherforhersake，andbecausesheisOURS:andhastiedustighterandclosereventhanithaseverbeen。I
　　loveyousothatIcan'twriteaboutit，andIamgoingtodonothingallspringbutjustsitaround，andbeineverybody'sway，watchingyoutogether。
　　HowjealousIamofyou，andhomesickforyou。Ofcourse，sheknows"mamma"isYOU；andtolookatyouwhentheyask，"Where'smother？"WhoelsecouldbehermotherBUTTHE
　　DEARESTWOMANINTHEWORLD，andtheonewholovesherso，andinsowonderfulaway。SheisbeautifulbeyondallthingshumanIknow。Ifeverawomandeservedabeautifuldaughter，YOUDO，foryouarethebestofmothers，andyouknowhow"tocaregreatly。"
　　Good-night，myprecious，dearone，andGodkeepyou，asHewill，andhelpmetokeepyoubothhappy。Whatyougivemeyouneverwillknow。
　　RICHARD。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THELASTDAYS
　　AfterashortvisittoLondon，RichardreturnedtoNewYorkinFebruary，1916。DuringhisabsencehiswifeandHopehadoccupiedtheScribnercottageatMountKisco，abouttwomilesfromCrossroads。Heremybrotherfinishedhissecondbookonthewar，andwrotenumerousarticlesandlettersurgingtheimmediatenecessityforpreparednessinthiscountry。AstoRichard'susefulnesstohiscountryatthistime，Iquoteinpartfromtwoappreciationswrittenaftermybrother'sdeathbythetwomostprominentexponentsofpreparedness。
　　TheodoreRooseveltsaid:
　　"HewasasgoodanAmericanaseverlived，andhisheartflamedagainstcrueltyandinjustice。Hiswritingsformatext-bookofAmericanismwhichallourpeoplewoulddowelltoreadatthepresenttime。"
　　Major-GeneralLeonardWoodsaid:
　　"ThedeathofRichardHardingDaviswasareallosstothemovementforpreparedness。Mr。Davishadanextensiveexperienceasamilitaryobserver，andthoroughlyappreciatedtheneedofageneraltrainingsystemlikethatofAustraliaorSwitzerlandandofthoroughorganizationofourindustrialresourcesin，ordertoestablishaconditionofreasonablepreparednessinthiscountry。AfewdaysbeforehisdeathhecametoGovernorsIslandforthepurposeofascertaininginwhatlineofworkhecouldbemostusefulinbuildingupsoundpublicopinioninfavorofsuchpreparednessaswouldgiveusarealpeaceinsurance。Hismindwasbentondevotinghisenergiesandabilitiestotheworkofpubliceducationonthisvitallyimportantsubject，andfewmenwerebetterqualifiedtodoso，forhehadservedasamilitaryobserverinmanycampaigns。
　　"ThroughouttheCubancampaignhewasattachedtotheheadquartersofmyregimentinCubaasamilitaryobserver。
　　HewaswiththeadvancedpartyattheopeningofthefightatLasGuasiinas，andwasdistinguishedthroughoutthefightbycoolnessandgoodconduct。HealsoparticipatedinthebattleofSanJuanandthesiegeofSantiago，andasanobserverwasalwayswheredutycalledhim。Hewasadelightfulcompanion，cheerful，resourceful，andthoughtfuloftheinterestsandwishesofothers。Hisreportsofthegamewerevaluableandamongthebestandmostaccurate。
　　"ThePlattsburgmovementtookaverystrongholdofhim。Hesawinthisagreatinstrumentforbuildingupasoundknowledgeconcerningourmilitaryhistoryandpolicy，alsoaverypracticalwayoftrainingmenforthedutiesofjuniorofficers。Herealizedfullythatweshouldneedincaseofwartensofthousandsofofficerswithournewlyraisedtroops，andthatitwouldbeutterlyimpossibletopreparetheminthehurryandconfusionoftheonrushofmodernwar。
　　Hisheartwasfilledwithadesiretoservehiscountrytothebestofhisability。HisrecentexperienceinEuropepointedouttohimtheabsolutemadnessoflongerdisregardingtheneedofdoingthosethingswhichreasonablepreparednessdictates，thethingswhichcannotbeaccomplishedaftertroubleisuponus。Hehadinmindatthetimeofhisdeathaseriesofarticlestobewrittenespeciallytobuildupinterestinuniversalmilitarytrainingthroughconveyingtoourpeopleanunderstandingofwhatorganizationasitexiststo-daymeans，andhowvitallyimportantitisforourpeopletodointimeofpeacethosethingswhichmodernwardoesnotpermitdoneonceitisunderway。
　　"Daviswasaloyalfriend，athoroughgoingAmericandevotedtothebestinterestsofhiscountry，courageous，sympathetic，andtrue。Hislosshasbeenaveryrealonetoallofuswhoknewandappreciatedhim，andinhisdeaththecauseofpreparednesshaslostanableworkerandthecountryadevotedandloyalcitizen。"
　　AlthoughsufferingfromhisstrenuousexperiencesinFrance，andmoreparticularlyfromthoseinGreece，Richardcontinuedtoaccomplishhisusualenormousamountofwork，andduringtheseweekswrotehislastshortstory，"TheDeserter。"
　　ThefollowingletterwaswrittentomewhileIwasintheBahamasandwasinreferencetoanovelwhichIhaddedicatedtoHope:
　　MOUNTKISCO——February28，1916。
　　DEAROLDMAN:
　　Nowordyetofthebook，excepttheadvts。Ienclose。Iwillsendyouthenoticesassoonastheybegintoappear。Iamsohappyoverthededication，and，veryproud。So，Hopewillbewhensheknows。AsIhavenotreadthenovelitallwillcomeasasplendidandpleasantsurprise。Iamlookingforwardtosittingdowntoitwithallthepleasureintheworld。
　　Youchosetherightmomenttoelope。Neverwasweathersocold，cruelandbitter。Hopeistheonlyonewhogoesoutofdoors。
　　IstartthefiresintheBigHousetomorrowandtheplumbersandpaperhangers，paintersenterthedayafter。
　　TheattackonVerdunmakesmesick。IwastheresixweeksagoinoneofthefortsbutofcoursecouldnotthennorcanInowwriteofit。Idon'tbelievethedriveevercangetthrough。
　　Fortworeasons，andtheunmilitaryoneisthatIbelieveinajustGod。GivemylovetoDai，andforyoualwaysDICK。
　　P。S。Iamhappyyouarebothsohappy，butthosepostcardswiththepalmswerecrueltytoanimals。
　　Onthe21stofMarch，1916，RichardandhiswifeanddaughtermovedfromtheScribnercottagetoCrossroads，andafewdayslaterhewasattackedbytheillnessthatendedinhisdeathonApril11。Hehaddinedwithhiswifeandafterwardhadworkedonanarticleonpreparedness，writtensomelettersandtelegramsconcerningthesamesubjectand，whilerepeatingoneofthelatteroverthetelephone，wasstricken。
　　Withinaweekofhisfifty-thirdyear，justoneyearfromthedayhehadfirstbroughthisbabydaughtertoherrealhome，doingthebestandfinestworkofhiscareerinthecauseoftheAlliesandpreparedness，quiteunconsciousthattheendwasnear，heleftus。Inthosefifty-twoyearshehadcrowdedthework，thepleasures，thekind，chivalrousdeedsofmanymen，andhediedjustasIamsurehewouldhavewishedtodie，workingintothenightforagreatcause，andalthoughillandtired，stillfretfulforthemorningthathemightagaintakeupthefight。