Then there were speeches, and the tree was lighted. Before the presents were given out, the "Marseillaise" was sung. I hadn't heard any singing here,--men together especially,--and to see them all facing the tree with the light on their faces, many of them pale, some bandaged, singing with their whole hearts, it was too much for me. Some had only one leg to stand on, and had their arms around the next fellows' necks, some couldn't see, and looked so alone. I wouldn't let any one see the tears in my eyes, for tears seemed to be their last thought. It was very gay when the bags were distributed. Each man got some bonbons and some trifle, and pieces of holly and mistletoe, and there were snappers and caps, and things raffled off, and more speeches. The evening ended with "Vive la France!" and "Joyeux Noël," and again, "Vive la France!" I shall never forget it. Love, and Happy New Year. ESTHER. VI FROM MARJORIE 73 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea (January 4, 1917). DEAREST DADDY:-- I have been having a delightful time--have seen a good many of the sights, and have been to the theater. The houses are pretty good, not crammed, but better than the average house has been in Boston for the last two years. The pit is always full. The plays are frightfully long-drawn-out, and I can't help thinking all the time that an American audience would never endure them, but they are bright and beautifully staged, which surprised me. We went to the Battle of the Somme pictures, and enjoyed them very much, if one can use the word "enjoy" for such interesting but harrowing pictures. There was a very small house, but they were charging regular theater prices, and the pictures have been here for a long time. The opera was good, and was particularly interesting to us, for Mr. Julius Harrison, who conducted, is a friend of the Smiths. It did seem strange to me to have them sing in English, and once in a while an awful bit of Cockney would get in, such as in "Cavalleria," the fiery Alfio, in his rage at discovering his wife's infidelity, gave a wild leap on the stage and shrieked, "It's strienge, it's straeynge." That is as near to the spelling as I can get. There was a small but appreciative audience, and again the pit was crammed full--Tommies and their girls.