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[Page 56]
was incredibly muddy and slippery, and I noted when I got there how much in two days the scene, by reason of the ripening of the crops, had changed. The sun was playing hide and seek behind fast-moving water-burdened clouds and the effect was as changeable as a "movie". For that reason, more than the waning light, I knocked off sooner that would ordinarily have been necessary and went to see the American boys play baseball; but, when I got to the ground, they had ceased play and were very intently watching our chaps playing Australian football; a game strange to them.
Our fellows, most of them wearing only boots and a pair of abbreviated knickers, were bogging in for all they were worth and the Americans were very seriously trying to get the hang of the game; asking all sorts of questions: "What's that for, now? What're they doin' that for?" and, getting a reply would answer: "Uh-huh", which means, when translated – "I see". I turned in fairly early and began to read when to my surprise I was handed two letters. I hadn't known that anyone had been in for the mail so it was all the more pleasing. We are getting out of here soon and headquarters are also on the move so, in a couple of days, I'll be some miles further back. There I hope to get a room to work in to finish my studies. I have been thinking hard over the matter of your return and my leave. As matters stand I have not yet made good and the things attendant on my success have not been made secure. I have to make a display sufficient to ensure my being thought valuable enough to retain a good job after the war. It is evident that it will be only while the weather is warm enough to work (apart from the rain) that, I will be able to turn out the stuff but it is certain I haven't enough yet. Furthermore, I believe and hope that there will be an end of things before next summer and unless I can get in the work now it will never be got in. It is possible that, in the Winter, I may be able to get leave and if, as I think, I can show cause, it may be that then I can tell you that I can return after the war for a few months, to make sketches of the deserted scenes of battles. That's what I hope; it may not for a minute be entertained by the powers that be. But, in any case, now is the