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THE PEAK OF THE LOAD

penetrated as far as the Avenue de la Grande Armée, and dropped bombs also in the vicinity of the Halles, and the Gare de Lyons. Every one writes that Paris is perfectly calm, although it is evident that the Government—judging by the rapidity with which it is preparing systematic protection for its population—believes this to be but the beginning of another desperate attempt to break the morale of the country.

There are people at Voisins who claim to have seen the Gotha that fell at Vaires. Perhaps they did. I did not.

To-day has been a chilling day. This morning we went on bread rations—one pound a day. It is enough for me.

I have planted my climbing sweet peas. I ought to have done it in October. I don't know why I didn't, any more than I really know why I bothered to-day. One must not let one's self grow idle. 1 know that. But I hate having life become mechanical. The strain is begining to tell, and I hate to feel that.

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