Feb. 7.—­M.O. diagnosed influenza.  Was afraid it would spread.

Feb. 8.—­Warned the other four billets.  They seemed amused.  Pointed out that influenza had no terrors for men in No. 2 Company, who were doomed to weekly night-ops. under Major Carryon.

Feb. 9.—­House strangely and pleasantly quiet.  Went to see how Private Keen was progressing, and found the other four billets sitting in a row on his bed practising deep-breathing exercises.

Feb. 16.—­Billets on night-ops. until late hour.  Spoke in highest terms of Major Carryon’s marching powers—­also in other terms.

March 3.—­Waited up until midnight for Private Merited, who had gone to Slough on his motor-bike.

March 4, 1.5 a.m.—­Awakened by series of explosions from over-worked, or badly-worked, motor-bike.  Put head out of window and threw key to Private Merited.  He seemed excited.  Said he had been chased all the way from Chesham by a pink rat with yellow spots.  Advised him to go to bed.  Set him an example.

1.10. a.m.—­Heard somebody in the pantry. 2.10. a.m.—­Heard Private Merited going upstairs to bed.

2.16 a.m.—­Heard Private Merited still going upstairs to bed.

2.20-3.15. a.m.—­Heard Private Merited getting to bed.

April 3, 12.30 a.m.—­Town-hooter announced Zeppelins and excited soldier called up my billets from their beds to go and frighten them off.  Pleasant to see superiority of billets over the hooter:  that only emitted three blasts.

12.50 a.m.—­Billets returned with exception of Private Merited, who was retained for sake of his motor-bike.

9 a.m.—­On way to bath-room ran into Private Merited, who, looking very glum and sleepy, inquired whether I had a copy of the Exchange and Mart in the house.

10 p.m.—­Overheard billets discussing whether it was worth while removing boots before going to bed until the Zeppelin scare was over.  Joined in discussion.

May 2.—­Rumours that the Inns of Court were going under canvas.  Discredited them.

May 5.—­Rumours grow stronger.

May 6.—­Billets depressed.  Begin to think perhaps there is something in rumours after all.

May 9.-All doubts removed.  Tents begin to spring up with the suddenness of mushrooms in fields below Berkhamsted Place.

May 18, liberation day.—­Bade a facetious good-bye to my billets; response lacking in bonhomie.

May 19.-House delightfully quiet.  Presented caller of unkempt appearance at back-door with remains of pair of military boots, three empty shaving-stick tins, and a couple of partially bald tooth-brushes.

May 21.—­In afternoon went round and looked at camp.  Came home smiling, and went to favourite seat in garden to smoke.  Discovered Private Early lying on it fast asleep.  Went to study.  Private Merited at table writing long and well-reasoned letter to his tailor.  As he said he could never write properly with anybody else in the room, left him and went to bath-room.  Door locked.  Peevish but familiar voice, with a Scotch accent, asked me what I wanted; also complained of temperature of water.