On Way to France, Oct. 18, 1915.
[DEAREST ONE:]
You are much more brave than I am. Anyway, you are much
better behaved. For all the time you were talking I was crying,
not with my eyes only, but
with
all of me. I am so sad. I love you so, and I will
miss you so. I want you to keep saying to yourself all the
time, "This is the most serious effort he ever made, because
the chances of seeing anything are so
small, and because
never had he such a chance to
help. But, all the time,
every minute he thinks of me. He wants me. He misses my
voice, my eyes, my presence at his side when he walks or
sleeps. He never loved me so greatly, or at leaving me was so
unhappy as he is now."
Goodby, dear heart. My God-given one! Would it not be
wonderful, if tonight when I am up among the boats on the top
deck that girl in the Pierrot suit, and in her arms Hope,
came, and I took them and held them both? You will walk with
her at five, and I will walk and think of you and love you and
long for you.
God keep you, dearest of wives, and mothers.
RICHARD.
