And then, following the long desolate front, we went to Verdun. But I can't give you any more descriptions. That Verdun battle field! That stronghold, which the Germans did not pass! I will never forget it. Even the Argonne is a green, fertile place in comparison. Blasted skeleton forests, dead fields, plowed and plowed again with shells. Death, and the silence of death. I found myself repeating under my breath some verses of poetry that had caught my eye last winter, written by an officer. "Nous avons cherché la Victoire. Ou se cache-t-elle, dis-moi? Et, repassant la Meuse noire, Elle me crie, 'Au fond de toi.'" and "Est-ce vrai que la mort est une vie immense? Est-ce vrai que la vie est l'amour de mourir?" _Lieut. Joachim Gasquet, auteur des "Hymnes de la Grande Guerre."_ In such ways I tried to understand and to visualize all that had taken place there. We returned to Gondrecourt Sunday evening. On Monday I had a new and comic experience. The Y.M.C.A. announced an auction of all its supplies and I was asked to conduct it, being the only American who spoke French. They tell me that I have missed my vocation, that I ought to have been a saleslady. Any way I made a lark out of it, and gave the shrewd old French ladies tit for tat, which delighted them. Now I am back in Chaumont working in the library of the "Y." It is a temporary job. I have half an idea I shall be homeward bound soon. Goodbye dear family. This pen will drive me distracted, and they cost ten dollars over here! June 25th. Officers' Hut, Chaumont. Another change of job. From buck privates to elderly majors and lieutenant colonels! About a week ago I was assigned to the Officers' Hut at Chaumont. This has been, naturally, the largest and pleasantest officers' "Y" in France, but owing to the daily diminishing of the personnel at G.H.Q. the business of the "Y" is rapidly falling off. I was sent here principally on account of my knowledge of French. Ahem! There is a large restaurant and a French force employed, and I am the medium of communication with them. I manage to keep the peace by translating the orders diplomatically, softening them and _politening_ them. There are many pleasant aspects to this work. I enjoy very much being with cultivated people again, though my fondness for the expressive doughboy is as great as ever. After all, there is something comfortable about good grammar, and I confess that a conversation with a dash of high-browism contains a pleasure all its own. The first day I was here I met Colonel MacC. of Chicago. He has been very kind to me. Sunday evening he took me to call on some French friends of his and we had a very delightful time.