14 Oct. 1914 - 3 Mar 1915

This young man, raised in a home that loved literature and the arts, has, by his late teens, read more books than most people read in a life-time. His references to books he has read are remarkable. I'm going to have to quit listing the books here. I will remark, however, that he has hit Malory and is loving it. It's the best thing ever; vide 17 Nov., 1914, 26 Jan & 2 Feb., 1915. For such a boy, it is no wonder that Malvern was a nightmare (v. p. 82). Frankly, I wonder myself at schools which revolve around sports, not to mention the other "terrorism" associated with the older British Public Schools.

For us G. A. Henty fans: speaking of Thackeray's Esmond ("one of my favorite novels"), "True, I did rather resent the history, and still maintain, that when a man sets out to write a novel he has no right to ram an European War down your throat - it is like going back to Henty! Did you ever try that arch fiend?" (2 Feb.). Of course, if you read Henty for the history, it's a different matter - though the literary quality is what it is.

For the Handel fans - p. 99: "...not your ideal or mine as a composer...the inappropriateness of his tunes is appalling."

Lewis likes a good opera and misses those which he hears are performing in Belfast. He continues to affectionately care for his father's health and also, at this time, for his fathers' worries. Rumors abound of the Germans invading the British Isles and submarines prowling the waters, and they trouble Albert a good deal, apparently. Jack tries to philosophise about the worth of being bothered by such things when one knows not if they will really happen. He also reflects on the frame of mind of those who are not involved in the war, like himself.

14 Oct., Jack is still working on Loki, but he is especially interested in what Arthur might be doing for the music and art to accompany the play. Hooper gives us a note, including a source, for Loki Bound on page 81.

2 Feb.'15 - Lewis seems to have a girlfriend! A young Belgian refugee is living nearby. However, they seem to have a falling out (16 Feb.). Too bad.

Very importantly, if you will remember back to SBJ, it is during this period that his father has him come home for confirmation in the CofE. He shows reluctance to do it, especially, in secret, to Arthur (28 Oct. '14, p. 87): "No: there is no talk yet of going home. And, to tell you the truth, I am not sorry: firstly, I am very happy at Bookham, and secondly, a week at home, if it is to be spent in pulling long faces in Church & getting confirmed, is no great pleasure - a statement, I need hardly say, for yourself alone."