Of course those are much lighter, and came up
bravely. As a rule they are all loaded. It is as easy to take men to
the front, and material, that way as by railroad, since the cars go.
Only once have I seen any attempt at pleasantry on these occasions.
One procession went out the other day with all sorts of funny
inscriptions, some not at all pretty, many blackguarding the Kaiser,
and of course one with the inevitable "A Berlin" the first battle-cry
of 1870. This time there has been very little of that. I confess it
gave me a kind of shiver to see "A Berlin--pour notre plaisir" all
over the bus. "On to Berlin!" I don't see that that can be hoped for
unless the Germans are beaten to a finish on the Rhine and the allied
armies cross Germany as conquerors, unopposed. If they only could! It
would only be what is due to Belgium that King Albert should lead the
procession "Under the Lindens." But I doubt if the maddest war
optimist hopes for anything so well deserved as that. I don't dare
to, sure as I am of seeing Germany beaten to her knees before the war
is closed.
XI
September 8, 1914.
Oh, the things I have seen and felt since I last wrote to you over two
weeks ago.
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