Dearest Kitty,
What am I doing? I don’t want to do this. But there are posters everywhere saying that I should. I don’t want to disappoint my family and friends. Especially Ma.
But this subject is too gloomy for us to go over, dearest sister, for I simply had it to “get it out of my system” as Mr. Morgan’s serving boy would say, back at home. Oh, how I miss Kithvale.
It was a lucky break that I nearly had a turn for the worst in my health; I am not fit to enlist yet.
Everything is so changed, Kitty. A week ago we were all so happy and now I just can’t find myself at all. I’m lost. You would walk down the street, from where I board, and you would see various posters of shapes and sizes. There’s one in particular, that I despise the most. “Today the German Monster threatens the World with Bloodshed Slavery and Death” it says boldly. A scene of a thunderstorm with a large beast in a German helmet, crushing the earth. I shall not say no more.
I do not believe this war will end in one or two months. Do you think a war for which Germany has been preparing for twenty years will be over in a few weeks, Kitty? And do you know what will happen if she conquers? Australia will be a German colony. I don’t see why we should fight England’s battles; she’s quite able to fight them herself.
I don't mince the matter to myself. It's a relief to own u
p even to you, Kitty. I wouldn't confess it to anybody else. But I hate the whole thing the horror, the pain, the ugliness. War isn't a khaki uniform or a drill parade, everything I've read in old histories haunts me. I lie awake at night and see things that have happened see the blood and filth and misery of it all. And a bayonet charge! If I could face the other things I could never face that. It turns me sick to think of it sicker even to think of giving it than receiving it to think of thrusting a bayonet through another man.
Before this war is over, every man and woman and child will feel it, feel it to your heart's core. You will weep tears of blood over it. The Pied Piper has come and he will pipe until every corner of the world has heard his awful and irresistible music. It will be years before the dance of death is over years.
But I would not have myself stay, when the others have gone, when I think it is my duty – I would not have myself so selfish and small-souled.
Someday, the Piper will come over the hill up there and down Kithvale, piping merrily and sweetly. And I will follow him – follow him down to the shore, down to the sea, away from you all. I don’t think I’ll want to go – it will be such an adventure – but I won’t. Only I’ll HAVE to – the music will call and call and call me until I MUST follow.
Forever yours,
Kenneth B
References:
- The Piper, by L.M.Montgomery
What am I doing? I don’t want to do this. But there are posters everywhere saying that I should. I don’t want to disappoint my family and friends. Especially Ma.
But this subject is too gloomy for us to go over, dearest sister, for I simply had it to “get it out of my system” as Mr. Morgan’s serving boy would say, back at home. Oh, how I miss Kithvale.
It was a lucky break that I nearly had a turn for the worst in my health; I am not fit to enlist yet.
Everything is so changed, Kitty. A week ago we were all so happy and now I just can’t find myself at all. I’m lost. You would walk down the street, from where I board, and you would see various posters of shapes and sizes. There’s one in particular, that I despise the most. “Today the German Monster threatens the World with Bloodshed Slavery and Death” it says boldly. A scene of a thunderstorm with a large beast in a German helmet, crushing the earth. I shall not say no more.
I do not believe this war will end in one or two months. Do you think a war for which Germany has been preparing for twenty years will be over in a few weeks, Kitty? And do you know what will happen if she conquers? Australia will be a German colony. I don’t see why we should fight England’s battles; she’s quite able to fight them herself.
I don't mince the matter to myself. It's a relief to own u
p even to you, Kitty. I wouldn't confess it to anybody else. But I hate the whole thing the horror, the pain, the ugliness. War isn't a khaki uniform or a drill parade, everything I've read in old histories haunts me. I lie awake at night and see things that have happened see the blood and filth and misery of it all. And a bayonet charge! If I could face the other things I could never face that. It turns me sick to think of it sicker even to think of giving it than receiving it to think of thrusting a bayonet through another man.Before this war is over, every man and woman and child will feel it, feel it to your heart's core. You will weep tears of blood over it. The Pied Piper has come and he will pipe until every corner of the world has heard his awful and irresistible music. It will be years before the dance of death is over years.
But I would not have myself stay, when the others have gone, when I think it is my duty – I would not have myself so selfish and small-souled.
Someday, the Piper will come over the hill up there and down Kithvale, piping merrily and sweetly. And I will follow him – follow him down to the shore, down to the sea, away from you all. I don’t think I’ll want to go – it will be such an adventure – but I won’t. Only I’ll HAVE to – the music will call and call and call me until I MUST follow.
Forever yours,
Kenneth B
References:
- The Piper, by L.M.Montgomery
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