Buffalo, Aug, 17th, 1915

Bit in on this bit of buzz:-

Thanks for your letter and also the pictures . The latter very good of everybody and the one of the bunch in swimming is the best picture of Mary and Honor OI have ever seen. They look like the original snappy queens. I expect to see that one of you and the rest of the fish, linked up with a line of that "wildwood" talk, in one of next year's railway folders.

In your letter of a week or so ago, your camping crime sounded at first rather like a comedy or errors. But I really think that if you cane find a good place, that a settled camp is just as much fun as moving about all the time. What the deuce happened to Bull?

But, Carry On! Of course as you say, my first thought has to be of Mother and when I spoke of tackling her again about my enlisting I meant more to sore of sound her out and find out just how she feels about things. I have and idea that her ideas of things have changed a good deal in the last year. She told me, as far back as Christmas time, that of the time came when we thought it my place to go, that she would not have me hesitate for a minute, and with you, Verse, Dal & Sax Browne, and (I think) Ross Whitehead, as well as so many others she knows, going or gone, it will make it a good deal easier for her. Also, no matter what Mother things of it, there is going to be a hoarse bellowing and incessant bark, bark, from a few uncles, to contend with.

But if things work out all right - as you were whistling - there is only one thing to be done and that is to see the thing through together; whether as right-hand man to Sir John French, or hustling ashes from the camp kitchen.

I went down to the river to the camp last Saturday to see Tom Tucker. He has a choice collection of "barrack-room ballads" up his sleeve about the doings and sayings of the local lights, as camp discomfort. I shall have to ease all that I remember on you when I see you. I also saw Burland, Abie Heighington, Taylor and several others.

I have not yet sprung my great idea (taking a run up to London) on the "grand old men" who, literally, "lies in state" at Bridgebury's Biggest Building but am pretty sure of myself, and hope you will be staying in town and not singing"I want to go back to the farm" as I am not in training for any six day [?] breaking bicycle crimes, such as I used to pull off. I shall write to you when I know exactly when I shall be, and how long I shall have, in London.

Remember this line of talk is all fast-backed

hoot
S omething
oon

To - A member of the old-time jimmy-piper's club

As You Were!

I have been reading over your letter again. In some way I left out a whole page the first time I read it. I certainly agree with you about getting all the training possible and also in taking things slowly, or at least not in a rush. It is rather hard to decide just what to get into, if you listen to any army men shooting off. The infantry says "for God's sake keep out of the artillery." And the artillery crowd say "Whatever you do don't be a mud-pounder." However I think the artillery is the thing. I know the longer course I take the easier things will be at home. If Mother knows that I won't be getting into the scrap for six months or more, possibly a year (like Verse) I think things will be all right. Shoot me all your dope as soon as possible.