During the night we pulled into Joinville and then into Chevillon, where the train pulled into a siding for further orders. We took the train back to Chaumont and came down through a beautiful valley into the town, arriving just in time for lunch at the France. Then back to barracks. Jim and Peck had returned and we exchanged experiences, which were about the same.
Trinder and Hansell have gone to Paris for their examinations for promotion. I spoke to Hansell about being transferred to a regiment, and he said he would try and arrange it. I want to get into the real thing and be with real men, and not sitting around here just taking care of sick people.
August 27th. Life has settled down to the same old routine. A violent thunder-storm last night, but fine and clear and much cooler to-day. The weather has been fine now for the past ten days.
Hansell and Trinder are coming back to-night and we are preparing a spread for them—cocktails, sweet champagne. I have been tearing all over town to find some gin, which I finally accomplished at la maison of M. Henry, who was well stocked with every kind of wine.
There has been a lot of kick about the food. The men seem to be always hungry—an enormous breakfast and then howls for more lunch—then tears when the bill comes. I had a meeting two nights ago and told them they could have what they wanted, but they would have to pay for it. They finally voted a French breakfast, which began this morning. I did not come down till late, but I was told they were a doleful lot. However, they will get used to it later. Nothing but housekeeping. It takes from two to three hours to get the work straightened out.
August 30th. The dinner was quite a success. Every one limbered up, and laughter, loud and plenty, was the order of the night. Since then nothing worthy of note.
At last I have an orderly and he is working on my books. And perhaps life will now be pleasanter.
September 3rd. The golden morning sun came pouring in the window this morning and Trinder came smashing in the door at six thirty a. m. demanding the key of the storeroom.
Yesterday we took a nice walk, climbing the heights on the west bank of the Marne.