Volume II Part 35 (1/2)
DEAR RALPH:
There used to be a country parson down in Wake County who, when other subjects were talked out, always took up the pleasing topic of saving your soul. That's the way your mother and I do--with the subject of going home. We talk over the battle, we talk over the boys, we talk over military and naval problems, we discuss the weather and all the babies, and then take up politics, and talk over the gossip of the wiseacres; but we seldom finish a conversation without discussing going home. And we reach just about as clear a conclusion on our topic as the country parson reached on his. I've had the doctors going over me (or rather your mother has) as an expert accountant goes over your books; and I tried to bribe them to say that I oughtn't to continue my arduous duties here longer. They wouldn't say any such thing. Thus that device failed--dead. It looks as if I were destined for a green old age and no _martyr_ business at all.
All this is disappointing; and I don't see what to do but to go on.
I can't keep from hoping that the big battle may throw some light on the subject; but there's no telling when the big battle will end. Nothing ends--that's the trouble. I sometimes feel that the war may never end, that it may last as the Napoleonic Wars did, for 20 years; and before that time we'll all have guns that shoot 100 miles. We can stay at home and indefinitely bombard the enemy across the Rhine--have an endless battle at long range.
So, we stick to it, and give the peach trees time to grow up.
We had a big day in London yesterday--the anniversary of our entry into the war. I send you some newspaper clippings about it.
The next best news is that we have a little actual suns.h.i.+ne--a very rare thing--and some of the weather is now almost decent....
Affectionately, W.H.P.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 68: Mr. Henry Morgenthau, American Amba.s.sador to Turkey, 1913-16, an American of Jewish origin who opposed the Zionist movement as un-American and deceptive.]
[Footnote 69: American member of the Supreme War Council. Afterward member of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace.]
[Footnote 70: Sir Henry Wilson had recently succeeded Sir William Robertson as Chief of the Imperial General Staff.]
[Footnote 71: First Lord of the Admiralty.]
[Footnote 72: Secretary of Agriculture.]
[Footnote 73: See Chapter XXIV.]
[Footnote 74: This meeting, on April 6, 1918, was held at the Mansion House. Page and Mr. Balfour were the chief speakers.]
CHAPTER XXVI
LAST DAYS IN ENGLAND
In spite of the encouraging tone of the foregoing letters, everything was not well with Page. All through the winter of 1917-1918 his a.s.sociates at the Emba.s.sy had noticed a change for the worse in his health. He seemed to be growing thinner; his face was daily becoming more haggard; he tired easily, and, after walking the short distance from his house to his Emba.s.sy, he would drop listlessly into his chair.
His general bearing was that of a man who was physically and nervously exhausted. It was hoped that the holiday at St. Ives would help him; that he greatly enjoyed that visit, especially the westward--homeward--outlook on the Atlantic which it gave him, his letters clearly show; there was a temporary improvement also in his health, but only a temporary one. The last great effort which he made in the interest of the common cause was Secretary Baker's visit; the activities which this entailed wearied him, but the pleasure he obtained from the resultant increase in the American partic.i.p.ation made the experience one of the most profitable of his life. Indeed, Page's last few months in England, though full of sad memories for his friends, contained little but satisfaction for himself. He still spent many a lonely evening by his fire, but his thoughts were now far more pleasurable than in the old _Lusitania_ days. The one absorbing subject of contemplation now was that America was ”in.” His country had justified his deep confidence. The American Navy had played a determining part in defeating the submarine, and American s.h.i.+pyards were turning out merchant s.h.i.+ps faster than the Germans were destroying them. American troops were reaching France at a rate which necessarily meant the early collapse of the German Empire. Page's own family had responded to the call and this in itself was a cause of great contentment to a sick and weary man. The Amba.s.sador's youngest son, Frank, had obtained a commission and was serving in France; his son-in-law, Charles G. Loring, was also on the Western Front; while from North Carolina Page's youngest brother Frank and two nephews had sailed for the open battle line. The bravery and success of the American troops did not surprise the Amba.s.sador but they made his last days in England very happy.
Indeed, every day had some delightful experience for Page. The performance of the Americans at Cantigny especially cheered him. The day after this battle he and Mrs. Page entertained Mr. Lloyd George and other guests at lunch. The Prime Minister came bounding into the room with his characteristic enthusiasm, rushed up to Mrs. Page with both hands outstretched and shook hands joyously.
”Congratulations!” he exclaimed. ”The Americans have done it! They have met the Prussian guard and defeated them!”
Mr. Lloyd George was as exuberant over the achievement as a child.
This was now the kind of experience that had become Page's daily routine. Lively as were his spirits, however, his physical frame was giving way. In fact Page, though he did not know it at the time, was suffering from a specific disease--nephritis; and its course, after Christmas of 1917, became rapid. His old friend, Dr. Wallace b.u.t.trick, had noted the change for the worse and had attempted to persuade him to go home.
”Quit your job, Page,” he urged. ”You have other big tasks waiting you at home. Why don't you go back?”
”No--no--not now.”
”But, Page,” urged Dr. b.u.t.trick, ”you are going to lay down your life.”