that sneaking feeling from time to time. I tell myself wonderful stories
in the early dark mornings and become the architect of the most
wonderful futures.

I'm coming to join you just as soon as I know how--at the worst I'll be
in London on the 16th of this month.

Ever yours,
CON.


_The following letters were written after Coningsby had met his family
in London._




XXXIX

January 24th, 1917.

MY DEAR ONES:

I have had a chance to write you sooner than I expected, as I stopped
the night where I disembarked, and am catching my train to-day.

It's strange to be back and under orders after nine days' freedom.
Directly I landed I was detailed to march a party--it was that that made
me lose my train--not that I objected, for I got one more sleep between
sheets. I picked up on the boat in the casual way one does, with three