DIY History | Transcribe | World War I Diaries and Letters | Conger Reynolds correspondence, February 1918 | 1918-02-20 Conger Reynolds to Daphne Reynolds Page 6

Transcribe
Translate

Conger Reynolds correspondence, February 1918

1918-02-20 Conger Reynolds to Daphne Reynolds Page 6

people. There were many amusements to divert my attention. Now it's different. ---, whatever it is, is neither Paris nor London. When the day's work is over there are very few things one can do. In the early part of the evening he can stumble through the streets, going into the dim-lit shops to make little purchases and practice his French. If he is so inclined he can loaf in a cafe' until 8 p.m. trying to get cheer out of conversation with fellows he never saw before - or perhaps really have a bit of fun chatting with men of his own crowd. For the rest, he can sit before the fire in the Y.M.C.A. dreaming - or study - or read - or write letters. None of these things are so diverting that they take the place of what being back home would mean - even considered in the abstract. To me - suddenly become much more attached to whatever spot is favored by the presence there of the only girl I love - my wife - they are mere makeshifts to drive away loneliness, to enable me to keep up the morale a good soldier needs. Nowhere in the world will I ever find complete happiness again unless you are there with me. But the world offers many attractive places if you go with me. There - how's that? Do I get a kiss for that, angel pie? 
My love of you, sweetheart, thrives on the beautiful memories of our best days of life. They were so wonderfully rich! But even better will come. I think of hundreds, if not thousands of forms of happiness that life will surely give us. Thinking so I can hardly await the day when we shall make the new beginning. May the gods hasten it! 
It is good-night time. I shall go to sleep dreaming you are cuddled beside me, your glorious lips pressed to mine in that kiss that makes my very soul leap in ecstasy.

Saving...

people. There were many amusements to divert my attention. Now it's different. ---, whatever it is, is neither Paris nor London. When the day's work is over there are very few things one can do. In the early part of the evening he can stumble through the streets, going into the dim-lit shops to make little purchases and practice his French. If he is so inclined he can loaf in a cafe' until 8 p.m. trying to get cheer out of conversation with fellows he never saw before - or perhaps really have a bit of fun chatting with men of his own crowd. For the rest, he can sit before the fire in the Y.M.C.A. dreaming - or study - or read - or write letters. None of these things are so diverting that they take the place of what being back home would mean - even considered in the abstract. To me - suddenly become much more attached to whatever spot is favored by the presence there of the only girl I love - my wife - they are mere makeshifts to drive away loneliness, to enable me to keep up the morale a good soldier needs. Nowhere in the world will I ever find complete happiness again unless you are there with me. But the world offers many attractive places if you go with me. There - how's that? Do I get a kiss for that, angel pie? My love of you, sweetheart, thrives on the beautiful memories of our best days of life. They were so wonderfully rich! But even better will come. I think of hundreds, if not thousands of forms of happiness that life will surely give us. Thinking so I can hardly await the day when we shall make the new beginning. May the gods hasten it! It is good-night time. I shall go to sleep dreaming you are cuddled beside me, your glorious lips pressed to mine in that kiss that makes my very soul leap in ecstasy.