I was awakened about four o’clock in the morning by a dull boom and the sharp rattle of the windows. Having lived so much beside naval guns in our own special Kingdom by the Sea, I knew exactly what it was and shook Himself. "That’s naval guns," I said. "There’s a fight going on quite close by." "Nonsense," he answered. "You’re dreaming—go to sleep." I could not, and rose early to hear from the little maid, who had heard it from the milkman, that the coast places had been bombarded and much damage done. You know how rumours fly and how disasters are multiplied and intensified, as they pass from mouth to mouth. Himself came back from the mess with little news beyond the facts, and I was glad when a friend rang me up to ask if I’d like to go down to the coast with her in her car. Of course I liked it, and we took some of the bigger children with us—it was Easter week and they were all at home from school, round-eyed, eager, fearless about the war, which to them is nothing but the Great Adventure. We hardly expected to get through the military barrier, but we did, and saw what had been done. It is the same pitiful tale of destruction which follows in the Zeppelin’s track, senseless, horrible war on defenceless folk who have little or nothing to protect them. These delightful east-coast watering places are all ruined, because everybody who could afford it has "quit" as you say, and the boarding houses and hotels are empty, and will be for the "duration." It was very typically British to find the front thronged with spectators, women wheeling babies in perambulators, all gazing upon the scene, but not apparently frightened at the wreckage. The story was soon told. Some battle-cruisers suddenly appeared about six miles out and opened fire for twenty minutes or so, and then ran. There was no patrol to attack them, if it was anybody’s business to be on the outside there, they were off guard. The only criticism one is inclined to make is that it could not happen in Germany. This pleasant East Anglian land is lovely beyond compare in the exquisite spring unfolding, but the blight of war seems over all. They are getting ready great camps nearer the sea, and the troops will be taken out of their winter billets. Himself is very busy inspecting and reporting, and generally proving as efficient and thorough in military life as he is in civilian.