May 2.--Rumours that the Inns of Court were going under canvas.
Discredited them.

May 5.--Rumours grow stronger.

May 6.--Billets depressed. Begin to think perhaps there is something in
rumours after all.

May 9.-All doubts removed. Tents begin to spring up with the suddenness
of mushrooms in fields below Berkhamsted Place.

May 18, LIBERATION DAY.--Bade a facetious good-bye to my billets;
response lacking in bonhomie.

May 19.-House delightfully quiet. Presented caller of unkempt appearance
at back-door with remains of pair of military boots, three empty shaving-
stick tins, and a couple of partially bald tooth-brushes.

May 21.--In afternoon went round and looked at camp. Came home smiling,
and went to favourite seat in garden to smoke. Discovered Private Early
lying on it fast asleep. Went to study. Private Merited at table
writing long and well-reasoned letter to his tailor. As he said he could
never write properly with anybody else in the room, left him and went to
bath-room. Door locked. Peevish but familiar voice, with a Scotch
accent, asked me what I wanted; also complained of temperature of water.

May 22.--After comparing notes with neighbours, feel deeply grateful to
Q.M.S. Beddem for sending me the best six men in the corps.

July 15.--Feel glad to have been associated, however remotely and humbly,