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[Page 23]
over in order to please him. I hate War books, soldiers, and soldiering – I have not read a newpaper since the War began and I don't intend to do so: all I know is there is a War on, that I'm doing my bit, and that I'll be glad when it's over. How I hate this terrible life.
Jan:10
Supply of literature very scarce – glad I've got my pencil to keep me busy. I am teaching Captain Townsend French; he has lent me a little French book, I read a page of this a day; also practise signalling, but am frightfully slow.
Jan:11
Make a little portrait of Captain Townsend which pleases him much, and me also as it gave me a chance to be on the officer's deck where it is quiet.
We are near Colombo; all the fleet with the exception of three White Star ships which we believe have put in at Colombo.
Jan:12
Usual routine. Got a kind of wish-I were-dead sort of feeling; one can scarcely understand what it is like to be cooped up with 3,000 men for so long a period.
Great excitement; all the Fleet has stopped – the ships going to Colombo are taking a mail – much display of writing pads, pencils etc., men more or less quiet – wish to God there were a mail every hour: much excitement; a boat is lowered to take our letters to the ship which is taking the mails – it is marvellous the amount of interest a little incident like this creates, though