The night before last there was wild excitement in camp. All afternoon we had been hearing the latest news from the front, and the war was finished at least every five minutes. That night one of the boys returned from the mission and said that a Lieutenant told him that there was no doubt about it, Germany had thrown up the sponge. I wasn’t there, being asleep in bed at the time, but they woke me up and told me between—hics—that the war was over. The piano in one company’s house was playing all the war music that was ever written and the air rang with cheers, popping of corks, songs, and whatnot. It wasn’t long before our door was banged open. We were paged and told that the war was _fini_, and to come out and join the party. I’m afraid they didn’t get much of a response from us, both of us being pretty tired. Some day they won’t be crying wolf and we are going to miss out on the party. The Frenchmen are just about crazy, and who can blame them? When the end comes, and it’s coming sooner than any of us realize, you in the States will get the all over feeling long before we do. Things will go on for us camion drivers just about as they are going now, and not until both feet are planted on the other side of the pond will the _guerre_ be really finished for us. [Illustration: GURGLE AH—SMACK! HAVE A HEART—DON’T DRINK IT ALL! HURRY UP FOR PETE SAKE! SOUNDS LIKE A PARTY!! HIGH HUM-M—HOPE WE DONT ROLL EARLY! ZIR BUZZ THE ARMY WAS MADE FOR SOME GUYS! THOUGHT I HEARD A FEMALE VOICE? GESS I’LL GO UP AND SEE IF THE MAIL IS IN. SOME WILD BOOK! THERE AINT A THING TO WRITE ABOUT. KNOCK KNOCK WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE BOYS.... THE WAR MUST BE OVER!? MOST ANY NIGHT PROV. CO “A” HAS A FEW MEN IN. THEY LEAD “THE LIFE OF REILLY,” AND NO WONDER THEY DON’T WONT TO MOVE. CROSS SECTION OF OUR LAST BILLET.] [Illustration: IS’NT THE WORLD SMALL? I. NO USE TALKING. THESE FRENCH GIRLS SURE HAVE IT ON THE GIRLS BACK HOME! I’LL SAY SO! LOOK THIS PETITE FEMME OVER! II. DO YOU BOYS KNOW THE WAY TO THE GRAND HOTEL? NEW YORK WAS NEVER LIKE THIS! ? K H DAY 17] _November 11_ DEAR MOTHER— Am I awake or is it a dream. It doesn’t seem possible that the war is OVER. When it was brought home to me that the armistice had been signed, it left me not dancing with joy but numb. It didn’t seem possible and now, two hours after, I’m just beginning to cheer. Think of the millions that are made happy these days, and think of those whose boys will never return. Just about two weeks ago the lieutenant I had in C Co. was killed. He was a fraternity brother of mine, and one of the finest fellows I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I am glad that I have had the privilege of being one in the great Army of Right. My only regret is that I could not have come over about three years sooner. [Illustration: U.S. FRANCE MOST ANY DAY NOW]