GENERAL HEADQUARTERSa
#414 S. Edgewood St.
Greensboro, N.C.
My dear House:-
It is funny to call you Lieutenant, but I will if you
want me to. Your letter of March 5th came today, and it was a genuine
treat.
The Regiment, I believe, sailed yesterday, and the rest of
the Division will follow within a few days. Before it went Cabot had
also become a Major, and Hume was restored to his old place. In an
exciting spasm of educating the A.E.F., Bill and Andrew Jackson were
separated - Bill being sent to the Sorbonne, and Andy to the University
at Caen, As neither of them spoke sufficient French to do much more
than acknowledge the eratic drive of Madame Zigzags fulminations, this
was not a success, but in response to their loud hollars, I
pilled all the wires I knew how, and got Bill restored to the former
bosom of the Regiment. I have not heard yet whether or not Andy got
back too. Paul Raymond, who was also in the office, has been sent
back as a casual. Gilbert is still with me, keeping house for me here,
and Guy Thompson, my very faithful chauffer, has gone back as a casual.
I hope to follow them in about a month, and should be on my way shortly
after you receive this.
The two months I was in the States did not leave me
entirely satisfied with the rather heady effects of victory upon the
American people. Press and Pulpit seem to be vying with each other
in rapid bursts of insanity. The hip and thigh business you refer
to, as having heard from the Pulpit, is just a duplicate of a whole
lot I fear. If you get the chance, read Orchard's book "Outlook for
Religion", written, perhaps, not convincingly, but still cleverly in
the style we have come to consider Chestertonian. I would give a great
deal to hear your paper on the "Effects of Womens' Clothes on the
Returning of Soldiers. I am afraid that, in view of the present styles,
you might have said something about the "Effect of Lack of Womens' Clothes
on the Returning Soldiers" if styles go on as they are at present going,
it will be time to "pass the apples around again".
"When every pool in Eden was a mirror;
Which unto Eve her dainty charms displayed;
She went about without fear, or-
Thought that she had any need to be dismayed.
'Twas after she had eaten of the apple,
She first become inclined to be a prude.
And found that evermore she'd have to grapple,
With the much debated problem of the nude
456
EN