When Zaidos found a chance to read the doctor’s letter to Helen she was so pleased with it that she insisted on taking it and reading it to a number of the committees that seemed to be meeting from morning until night. The letter gave a clear view of the needs of the Red Cross, and told so well of the good it was doing. And to his horror, Zaidos was invited to address three separate organizations. Helen refused for him after he had threatened to run away by night and walk to London.
Nick evidently had trouble with the Allies or the Germans, because he did not come down, and sent no word.
It came time for Zaidos to leave. The last night he was there he wrote a bunch of letters. The first was addressed to school, and commenced:
“Fellows:
“Well, after all, I’m coming back. Such a lot of things have happened that there is no use writing about them at all. I’ll tell you all that it’s good for you to hear when I see you. Only there’s no reason for me to stay here now as there is now no one in this country belonging to me. My only relative, a cousin about my age, was shot and killed. And I got nipped a little. So they don’t want me any more, and I’m coming back on the next steamer. If you can get it, I want my old room.
“I’m visiting some fine people here in the country. Met ’em on the battlefield. At least I met two of them there. I saw Nick in London, but he’s in France now. You know he’s an Earl; but it doesn’t seem to worry him. He stepped all over me just the same as ever, and was just as sorry. He wears a uniform, of course, so I don’t know if his neckties are as bad as ever they used to be.
“It’s going to be good to see you. I guess after all I have told you all the news. Nothing much has happened, as you see.
“There’s a girl here; you never saw anything like her. Say, she makes me feel sorry for you way off there!
“Well, so long, boys! I’ll see you soon, if we don’t get torpedoed. They don’t make many plans over here. They say, “Do come and see me to-morrow if you don’t get Zeppelined.” So long!
“Zaidos.”