He has gone to fetch some one.--Paul. (This is the sort of interpolation which frequently happens. Paul signs his explanatory sentence.) (K. K. presently said that Raymond had returned, and expected me to be aware of it.) I have brought Mr. Myers. He says he doesn't often come to use this means, but he wants to speak for a moment. "Get free and go on," he says. "Don't let them trammel you. Get at it, Lodge."--Myers. He has gone, tell my father. (O. J. L., _sotto voce_.--What does that mean?) (K. K.--I haven't an idea.) O. J. L.--Has Myers gone right away? "I have spoken, but I will speak again, if you keep quiet (meaning K. K.). Do cease to think, or you are useless. Tell Lodge I can't explain half his boy is to me. I feel as if I had my own dearly loved son here, yet I know he is only lent to me. "Pardon me if I rarely use you (to K. K.); I can't stand the way you bother."--Myers. K. K.--Do you mean the way I get nervous if I am taking a message from you? "Yes, I do." [This interpolated episode was commented on by O. J. L. as very characteristic.] O. J. L.--Is Raymond still there? Yes. O. J. L.--Raymond, do you know we've got that photograph you spoke of? Mrs. Cheves sent us it, the mother of Cheves--Captain Cheves, you remember him? Yes, I know you have the photograph. O. J. L.--Yes, and your description of it was very good. And we have seen the man leaning on you. Was there another one taken of you? K. K.--'Four,' he says 'four.' Did you say 'four,' Raymond? Yes, I did. O. J. L.--Yes, we have those taken of you by yourself, but was another taken of you with other officers? I hear, father; I shall look, but I think you have had the one I want you to have; I have seen you looking at it. I have heard all that father has said. It is ripping to come like this. Tell my father I have enjoyed it.--Raymond. O. J. L.--Before you go, Raymond, I want to ask a serious question. Have you been let to see Christ? Father, I shall see him presently. It is not time yet. I am not ready. But I know he lives, and I know he comes here. All the sad ones see him if no one else can help them. Paul has seen him: you see he had such a lot of pain, poor chap. I am not expecting to see him yet, father. I shall love to when it's the time.--Raymond. O. J. L.--Well, we shall be very happy this Christmas I think. Father, tell mother she has her son with her all day on Christmas Day. There will be thousands and thousands of us back in the homes on that day, but the horrid part is that so many of the fellows don't get welcomed. Please keep a place for me. I must go now. Bless you again, father.--Raymond. (Paul then wrote a few words to his mother.) CHAPTER XVIII FIRST SITTING OF ALEC WITH MRS. LEONARD