The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-08-22
LETTERS FROM ~oyER THERE"
Another Of Rev. ". 4. Mclniyre''
Interesting Recitals

Dear Folks Rt Home
This has been beautiful and busy
day al one thing and another. Went
this morning TO Congregational
church ai Crickle Wood Gin London,
Of eoursel where | was scheduled to
take part in an all days progrem for
Childrcns Day and IL seemed quite
like home Had "a good time both
morning and afternoon, then back TO
Hut for a couple Of hours work, and
then went 70 hear DR.. Jowett preach
the first time have heard anyone
preach. | think. since Easter Sunday.
A fine sermon OF course and packed
church The sermon was on living up
TO our inheritances, from the boast OF
the Pharisees, I'VE are Abraham's
Children and Jesus reply, III ye
were Abraham's children, ye would do
the work OF Abraham" Again came
back TO Hut and have been hard at it
for several hours, so you can see what
a busy day and yet what fine day II
has been. Must quit for the present
as | have some other writing TO do.
Eagle Hut, The Strand.
This has been a great day for Eagle
Hut. Their Most Gracious Majesties,
King George and Queen Mary visited
the Hut and walked about and were
interested in everything, We had only
AN hour or two OF warning though we
were given to understand some time
ago that some time the Hut would be
visited quietly by Royalty-and today
at noon or later the word came very
informally and without ceremony the
Royal pair would come, and about 4
O'Clock they came. There was no dem
snstration outside when they came, as
none Of the pedestrians or others
knew Of their coming and we had not
known the thing inside except to
those who would be expected to help
in the reception. All the secretaries
were lined up at our new entrance on
the AIdwych side Of the Hut and
guard of honor of U. s. soldiers and
sailors was formed on each side OF
the entrance Then as soon as they
had passed in we all dispersed and
Murtfeldt (our superior) and Lady
Acchison escorted them about the
building while the other secretaries
were stationed at various points to
receive them as they came about
They wanted to see everything and
seemed interested all the time and in
all the activities. There is never the
largest crowd in the Hut at that time
OF day, but there were several hun
dred "boys," enough to show the diff
ferent departments in proper action
and their Majesties were desirous OF
seeing all that was going on. Into
the barber shop and linen room and
kit room they went and talked to the
attendants, asking about the various
details and congratulating the many
workers on their different depart
ments. The kitchen and pantry and
even the scullery where the green
vegetables are prepared were all vis-
tied and in each place the King and
Queen spoke with the workers, and
when YOU know that many Of the help
ers. both voluntary and paid, are Eng
lish. you can readily see how much
that meant to them Indeed, IT did to
us all-for they are very popular and
exceedingly busy--no buster people
over here, always going about ana
.dedicating this thing or that or hold
ing some "Investiture" (when they
decorate a score or more OF heroes
with the different orders of merit or
inspecting some government depart
ment, always doing their own partic-
ular Job, and it must be terribly bor-
ing and indeed it would be If they
were not so genuinely interested IN
everything. thought while we were
awaiting their coming, What bore
il must be for them," but when they
had been, and saw how exceedingly
gracious they were and simple and
interested, | changed my opinion and
am sure that they enjoy their own
particular part in the big job as well
as any Of US do. Several amusing in
cidcn,s occurred among the more than
hour OF their stay-for instance,
when they went into the quiet room
where the boys" read and write,
everyone arose and stood, OF course
leYcept one Britisher who was lying
full length reading and who did not
notice the signs Of royalty, or appear
TO notice any intrusion into his own
quiet refuge. Then one American sol
der came up with his hand stuck out
saying: ~ am jus, writing TO my dear
old mother and want to tell her that
| have shaken hands with the King OF
England, and Of course. he had the
opportunity for the King and Queen
are both very easy Of approach, the
King scerningly more so than the