112 THE IMAGE OF WAR 



to say, in pouring rain. Of the dinner we ate, of the 

 rare Rhine wines our host (a Rhine-side landowner) 

 produced, of the very festive evening which I (alas !) 

 had to be the first to leave to catch the last train, 

 space forbids my telling here. But that Christmas 

 day will live long in my memory. 



