The 'Correspondence' Affair #48 - August 19, 1914 (Millicent to Alexander)

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From : Thun, Switzerland

August 19, 1914

My dearest Alexander,

Your enlistment has not taken me by surprise. I could not truly imagine you sitting on the sidelines during these troubled times. I am glad to hear that you will be taking the officer training. I would have to think that the qualities I know you to have are the sort that an officer needs. I cannot find the words to express what knowing you plan to keep my photograph with you means to me.

That reminds me that I received a letter from dear Lawrence. He plans to be enlisting himself, but is taking the advice of a friend of his that is already an officer in the British Army and holding off for a bit. I'm not sure exactly what the reasoning is behind that advice, but considering where Lawrence is and the various projects he's been involved in, it will probably take him a few weeks to get everything settled enough that he would be able to leave to enlist without leaving a horrid mess behind.

Lawrence seems somewhat concerned about how safe my school may or may not be as the war escalates - which he seems convinced that it will - but also admits that he would be hard pressed to think of any where that might be any safer while still remaining in the European area. He also expressed his concern over you and was wondering where you were and what your plans are. I will leave that to you to write to him about, though I hope you do not mind that I did write to him and sent him your new address.

Little Viveka is inconsolable these days and she has been dampening dear Ermengarde's shoulder every evening. Her fears have come true to a larger degree than even she had imagined. Not only have both of her elder brothers enlisted, but so has her father. Her father is apparently also quite adamant that Viveka remain here at the school for the duration of the war. Unlike Lawrence, he seems convinced that all will be resolved by the end of the year. While I do admire his optimism, I fear Lawrence's views about how the war will go are more realistic.

For the time being, I know of no plans to remove me from the school. Which I think is the right decision at the point as I plan to throw myself into my studies to try and keep from fretting too much. I shall try to maintain some sort of equilibrium. I certainly have no intention of delivering the Roman ultimatum to you of coming home carrying your shield or upon it. Yet I must admit that requesting someone to be careful during a time of war sounds trite as well. I suppose that the best I can do is to repeat your own words back to you - keep your eyes and ears open.

All my love always,

Millicent