These would usually be the thoughts in the twilight hour and then in would walk our smiling rosy-cheeked Irish tease of a nurse, Miss Anne O’Laughlin--all the nurses at Lady Carnarvon’s were Irish and therefore for me the more charming--preceding an orderly with tea things. She’d sit and smile and jest and make an hour or more dash by so pleasantly that--well, we very well knew at those times that we were very lucky beggars indeed. Then when I was on my feet, I was sent to Lady Furness’ hospital at Harrowgate and there I spent a delightful convalescence and there it was that I received the despatch from the Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty to appear at Buckingham Palace for decoration. Col. Holland, D. S. O., of the Indian Army, commandant at Lady Furness’ hospital, personally brought me the despatch and seemed as proud of it as I was, for I had been one of his youngsters in the ranks in India. [Illustration: To appear before the King] The despatch read: Your attendance is required at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday the twenty-fifth inst. at ten-thirty o’clock a.m. Service dress Regret that no one except those to be invested can be admitted to the Palace Please telegraph acknowledgment THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN, London I went to London as the guest of some old friends named Morris, and accompanied by Miss Dora Morris, daughter of the family, and Miss Norah Dixon of Australia, motored to Buckingham Palace, arriving under the arch at one of the entrances and then not being certain as to which of the roadways of approach to Buckingham I should take. I had the problem solved for me by a “bobby” who, with an agonized expression, ran toward our car, frantically waving his white gloves. “Out of the way quickly, sir!” he shouted. I was pardonably nettled. “But I have been commanded here to receive the Military Cross.” He saluted, but shouted to the chauffeur: “To the left--to the left. Good Lor’, the King’s behind you!” Of course, the chauffeur responded with alacrity and as his Majesty went by, flanked by an Admiral and a General of his command, I saluted and the salute was returned by all three. Then the “bobby,” still flustered, directed my car along the right road and a few minutes later the young ladies left me at the entrance to Buckingham. No arrangements for spectators are made for these ceremonies, none invited. I was relieved of my hat and stick by an august-looking footman, who whispered to me to retain my gloves, and I passed into a large reception-room where there were already some two hundred soldiers, officers and men of the ranks, summoned for a like purpose as myself and within the next minute nearly one hundred more. The furnishings of the salon were Victorian, the upholstering well-worn. Big paintings were on the walls, illustrating most of the picturesque events in the life of Queen Victoria.