To the Vicomte du Peloux
Hospital 101,
Rennes, May 26, 1915.
My dear Friend:
I received your letter several days ago and enjoyed and appreciated it. I am taking life exceptionally easy; my wound is progressing well and I suffer very little. Owing to the long time I had gone without attention, they thought at first they would have to cut it open, but it is doing so well they have decided cutting is not necessary.
As I said before, this hospital is much better than the average military hospital. It was a large school for boys before the war. It has a nice garden and on fine days I am carried down to enjoy it. Paul’s visits make it a great deal pleasanter for me and I have many other visitors. But I have much time for reading which is mostly English magazines, though I read the French papers every morning. When I get a little more energy I shall devote more time to the French. At present, I am taking my mind off everything as much as possible. Sometimes, I nearly imagine that the whole war has been only a horrible nightmare. But it doesn’t take me long to disillusion myself. The hospital has so many pitiful examples of the effects of the war—men crippled and terribly disfigured for life.
I do hope the war will soon be over and that Italy has really come in, which may cause other small nations to join us also. However, I do not want it to end till Germany is completely broken. We have all gone through so much that it would be a shame to have it to do over again in a few years.
There was a Sous-Lieutenant Mallet here who was very kind to me. He has now gone with his mother to Paris. I understand his father is a prominent banker there. Perhaps you know them?
I shouldn’t be surprised if Paul returns to Paris soon and I think he’d be more contented there. I think he finds it rather dull in Rennes.
My kindest regards and love to your wife,
Sincerely yours,
Kiffin.
