Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-15

high for me to read. And walking round and
round, you know, sir; till was fair giddy and
my eyes aching like they would pop out of me
cad.
But God was kind to me, sir. I was 'aving
me last look, just before going back to the rail-
way Station-when, all of a sudding, I saw it.
Down quite low, it was-almost at the bottom
Plain as day, 1t was. Me cart was beating
just like it used to do when e come on leave
and saw him walking down the Victoria plat
form. Just as if e was living, sir. That's how
his name seemed to take me. Pvt. w. Blodgett
it said-Third Battalion Kings Rifles. That
was his regiment, you know, sir. Yes, there was
his name; under thousands and thousands OF
others.
got all funny you might say-sort of see
ing him after all those years. There was a
pain in me threat, sir And climbed up on
ledge and touched his name with me fingers
And it took me back to the nights in our little
room-when ed had drop too much and ]
used to try and ease his pain by rubbing me
fingers over his forehead and them ridges e
had. 1t put me in mind of it-rubbng his name
with me fingers. Then a policeman came and
ordered me dcwn-and walked away. could
ardly see where was going sir; was that
overcome, like. I ought to ave took it much
calmer, know. But it was as if I'd seen him
again-after all that long time. can't explain
it, sir. But it took me awful bad-it did.
And kept on walking till come to some
was growing everywhere, with peoples and
daisies and other flowers in it. It wasn't bit
like what Bill had told me and written about
in his letters. Not bit. sir. I could 'ardly
believe ito tell you the truth. 1t didn't seem
true there had been war there-and that Bill
was somewhere-somewhere- the soil; like
Mrs Gubbins had said.
But 1 was glad, in way. sir; glad to know
e was lying there amongst the corn and flowers
and peoples. 1t all seemed so peaceful like;
and "appy Everything seemed at rest, you
might say; and 'appy. And the thought came
to me I'd like to stay there-where e was-just
to look at the cornfelds and be somewhere near
him. like. didn't want to go back to London
to me door-stepS and brass knockers. Only I
couldn't speak their language, of course; so I
couldn't very we'll ask anybody for bit OF
work-to keep going, you know, sir. And got
to crying. I was tired and worn out like; and
me foot was hurting me when walked. So l
just sat down by the roadside. near that corn
field-to rest me feet bit. And that's how I
come to fall asleep, strand dream.
oh, it will make you laugh, sir-to know the
dream had. What with him calling me
Lady Wipers and all, when e come on leave
it was that dreamed of. Me and me 'usband,
sir. There e was all dressed up in a frock-
coat and silk at, ordering beer for all and every
body. And rich. Plenty of money we had. f
was Sir William WiperS - and was Lady
Wipers And had that Winter coat was CO.
ing to buy-and that tippet-and everything.
Feathers in me at. Oh it would make you
split your sides sir-if to tell you all of 1t.
Going to see the King, we waS-the two Of us.
And everybody bowling to U.s. And me and Bill
--'e looked andSome, sir; in his silk 'at!-drv-
ing in a coach and pair to see the King. And
when we got to Buckingham Palace they had
the guard out for us and all. And we walked
Z .r@lan
oh, e was lovely to me-in the dream-you
might say Yes arm-in-arm sir. And him and
the King having a glass of beer together; and
me chatting with the Queen Oh, 1t was a
lovely dream, sor-and I was sorry they woke
me up and stopped it,
The policeman it was. who woke me. 1t was
getting dark; twilight. like. And me purse was
gone-with all me money in it, and me return
ticket and everything. was frightened. sir
terribly frightened--not being able to make EN-
understand. It was cruel awakening, as you
might say-after me dream. They kept asking
me questions and shouting at me and push
ing me about. And trying to tell 'em that me
purse was Stole-and that somebody had took
it while was asleep.
But it was no good, sir. And the policeman
took me off to the station and it was just as
bad there. I thought sure they was going to
lock me up, sir-and can't tell you how miser-
able was. But at last they got somebody what
could speak English.
II consider I've been insulted," says to him.
"I came all the way from London to see me us
bands name on the memorial" says. And
got tired and went to sleep near were e fell
and somebody has stole me purse. It's all gos
left in the world" says.
oh, 1 was real cross with 'em, sir; my
dignity, as you might say; being an English
woman in a forring country, knew they'd re-
spect me when they found was English. But
I was worried. didn't know how 1 was ever
to get back 'ome-what with me return ticket
in purse and all.
How much money did you ave in your