p.

the last four hours or so, delving into Kings Regulations, 800 pages - & the Manual of Military Law, 1000 pages. The point being that Hughes & Caleb, 1st & 2nd in command of this company go on Xmas leave next week - & the company is left to Griffiths, a very pleasant but very irresponsible young man of 22: & I rather feel that I shall be needed. In our Standing Orders, it says that each officer should have an intimate knowledge of the above works. They must think everybody is the equal of the late Lord Birkenhead!

I have now dealt with a lot of fowl & the salad, which looked good for about four before I saw it - & now contains only four onion tops: another proof of my constancy. So I now feel