out long before they can walk or sit, and they are carried to the local station and put into covered horse-boxes on straw, and have to wait till the train loads up and starts.  You see everything has to be done with a view to sudden evacuation.  We are so near to the firing-line that the Germans may sweep on our way at any time, and then every man has to be cleared out somehow (we have a heap of ambulances), and the staff is moved off to some safer place.  We did a bolt of this sort to Poperinghe one day, but after being there two days the fighting swayed the other way and we were able to come back.

[Page Heading:  HUNGER OF THE WOUNDED]

Well, during all these shiftings and waitings the wounded get nothing to eat.  I want some travelling-kitchens, and I want you to see about the whole thing.  You may have to come from Scotland, because I have opened the subject with Mr. Burbidge, of Harrods’ Stores.  A Harrods’ man is over here.  He takes back this letter.  I particularly want you to see him.  Mr. Burbidge has, or can obtain, old horse-vans which can be fitted up as travelling-kitchens.  He is doing one now for Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland; it is to cost L15, which I call very cheap.  I wish you could see it, for I know you could improve upon it.  It is fitted, I understand, with a copper for boiling soup, and a chimney.  There is also a place for fuel, and I should like a strong box that would hold vegetables, dried peas, etc., whose top would serve as a table.  Then there must be plenty of hooks and shelves where possible, and I believe Burbidge makes some sort of protection against fire in the way of lining to the van.  Harrods’ man says that he doesn’t know if they have any more vans or not.

I want someone with push and energy to see the thing right through and get the vans off.  The Invicta, from the Admiralty Pier, Dover, sailing daily, brings Red Cross things free.

[Page Heading:  PROPOSED TRAVELLING-KITCHENS]

The vans would have to have the Red Cross painted on them, and in small letters, somewhere inconspicuous, “Miss Macnaughtan’s Travelling-Kitchens.”  This is only for identification.  I thought we might begin with three, and get them sent out at once, and go on as they are required.  I must have a capable person and a helper in charge of each, so that limits my number.  The Germans have beautiful little kitchens at each station, but I can’t be sure what money I can raise, so must go slow.

I want also two little trollies, just to hold a tin jug and some tin cups hung round, with one oil-lamp to keep the jug hot.  The weather will be bitter soon, and only “special” cases have blankets.

Clemmie, if only we could see this thing through without too much red tape!...  No permission need be given for the work of these kitchens, as we are under the Belgian Minister of War and act for Belgium.

I thought of coming over to London for a day or two, and I can still do so, only I know you will be able to do this thing better than anyone, and will think of things that no one else thinks of.  I can get voluntary workers, but meat and vegetables are dreadfully dear, so I shan’t be able to spend a great deal on the vans.  However, any day they may be taken by the Germans, so the only thing that really matters is to get the wounded a mug of hot soup.