Dec. 26, 1914.
Dear Paul:
Received your letter yesterday, also saw your article in the Daily Mail, which we all thought well written. This is the sixth day that we have been here in C——, supposedly for a rest, but every day we have gone out at eleven o’clock and dug trenches until four o’clock. Yesterday, they did the same, but about ten of us slipped off and spent the afternoon at a farmhouse, drinking coffee and rum. This morning we went to work at seven and quit at eleven. To-night, we go back to the trenches. I have had an awful cold for the past week and have felt perfectly rotten. Mail was so congested that few packages have arrived. Only two came for the Americans and we split the things up among ourselves (that is, among the ones who claim to be Americans). We have had plenty to eat, but I don’t think anything has been distributed that you would need or care for. There are socks, gloves, helmets, mufflers and all kinds of woollen goods for everyone. But they are only lice-traps, and really not needed, so I don’t bother to load myself down with any. I haven’t received any package from Hilda; if it comes I will send it on to you if possible; otherwise, eat it myself. Some man in Paris sent a package of two mufflers, two pairs of socks and two helmets for you and me, but nothing else. We are all loaded down with such things, so they are worthless, but I will write to-day and thank him.
I have not been able to locate your “Rubaiyat.” Casey said his girl gave the films to Prince. I have your Toulouse book. Bill Thaw left day before yesterday to join an aviation corps. The English expect to be transferred to the English Army soon; they took the names of all the English, and Rapier wanted to add my name. I had rather stay with France but sometimes I feel that this is a d—— rotten outfit, and I had best transfer, being handicapped by not speaking French. Send me a 2o-franc bill, to pay up my few debts. Dr. V——V—— [Van Voast] gave us a good Va. ham, which we all enjoyed very much. As I said, we had plenty to eat for Xmas, but I didn’t enjoy it much, owing to the bad cold. Hope you had a good Xmas.
Much love,
Kiffin.