whatever you have in the way of a family is a drawback; but if you have no children at all, you are worse off than ever!! In one way the poor children are better off, from my way of thinking, in one detail,--the poorer they are the heavier stockings they wear, and as they grow richer, the stockings become less and less, until the really rich, swell, Commonwealth-Avenue children go about with socks and purple knees! We each of us have our "pet families" whom we want to do little extra things for, and I have already acquired one family--a very extra special, nice, self-respecting one, who won me among other things by telling me she opened the window in her room twice a day to change the air!--an absolutely unheard-of thing in this land! The woman has three dear little children, two who go to school and a lovely little baby. They are all so clean, and the tiny room is spotless. The eldest boy is now sixteen, and has just been operated on for appendicitis, and has gone to some friends in the country to rest after the operation. The mother and three children spent a month in caves before she came here. The father is at the front, of course,--is a wirelayer for telephone and telegraph service. He does lookout work, sitting in tree-tops with spyglasses and hoisted on top of poles to try to discover the enemy's guns and positions,--all of which is very dangerous work. Enough of all this;--I did not realize how I had rambled on. I want you and Daddy to know that I have been writing so hard that I never heard the luncheon bell at all!! I am now eating my various kinds of crackers with one hand, while I finish this with the other! I shall have a splendid excuse to have a very plentiful tea this afternoon, which will be very nice. I can tell you I think that I could stand a several days' siege with my well-stocked wardrobe. Lots and lots of love to all the family from your very happy and busy daughter, MARJE. This letter, although probably late, brings many, many happy returns of the day to you, Mother dear. P.S. Having re-read this letter, I have to apologize for the writing. I am terribly sorry it is so messy. I guess I got excited and tried to go as fast as the typewriter does! X FROM ESTHER On train from Pau, Saturday, February 24, 1917. DEAREST FATHER:-- A telegram came to me a week ago, just as I was about to return to Paris, telling me that the Ford had arrived at Bordeaux and to stay in Pau until further notice. So I have been put in Pau since then, having one more extra week. It has been glorious.