Don’t you dear people get down in the mouth when I’m again at the Front. It’s where I’ve wanted to be for a great many months—ever since I recovered. To be able to go back now, when there’s really something doing, is very fitting. I should have been wasting my time, perhaps, during the inactivity of the winter, if I’d been sitting in dug-outs when I might have been writing Out to Win. But no man, whatever his capacities, is wasting his time in fighting at this hour of crisis. I’ve been made ashamed by the excuses I’ve heard put up for various quitters who have taken bomb-proof jobs. I’m in terror lest I should be confused with such. Heaven knows, I’m no fonder of killing or of being killed than anyone else, but there are times when everything decent responds to the demand of duty. I shall absolutely be immensely happy to be a man again, taking my chances. I know that you will be glad for me. If you hadn’t known for certain that I was going back, you’d have been making excuses for me in your hearts during these last five months. So smile and be proud. And whatever happens, go on being proud and smiling. Your job is to set an example. That’s your contribution towards winning the war. It’s past midnight, and I go to camp to-morrow. I’ll let you have a cable when I go to the Front—so you needn’t be nervous. XXXV In Camp. England April 4, 1918 I got down here last night and reported back this morning. I found the General of my Division had already applied for me, so I am going back to my old Brigade at the beginning of this week—on the Sunday, I think. To-day is Wednesday, so I haven’t lost much time in getting into action. Probably I shall go up to London to-morrow for a two days’ leave and meet Eric. There’s just a chance that Reggie may be with us as well, for I’ve sent him a telegram to say that I’m going to France. And now, as you may imagine, I am at last happy and self-respecting. I’m going to be a part of the game again and not a pretence-soldier. What’s more, I’m going to go straight into a real battle—the biggest of the war. It’s really splendid and I feel childishly elated. Well, I’ve had a run for my money if any man ever had. The good times in England, France, and America will be worth remembering when I’m again in the fighting. I contrast in my mind my present mood with that of the first time when I went out—I was very much afraid then; now I’m extraordinarily happy. I’ve learnt to appreciate the privilege of being in the glory and the heroism. I’m more pleased than if I had won a decoration, that my Colonel should have asked for my return at the first possible moment. It proves to me something which one often doubts—that I really am some good out there. Keep your tails up, my dear ones, and don’t get worried. This line is only to let you know the good news. XXXVI London April 6, 1918