My friend, I would be thrilled to have you join the staff of the LDT—you have my complete consent. “A Woman’s War” is a tremendous idea, and you’ll be brilliant. You should use a pen name to protect your identity (like your Nellie Bly). What do you say to Josie Hawk, or perhaps Genevieve Wren? There we have our brave journalist, snapping up the latest news for her faithful audience. Tough, yet feminine enough for our heroine. You’ll see my crude sketch of a war hawk on the back of the letter. I’ve even given it a helmet with a ribbon. An impetus for a laugh, I’m sure, but I’m not the artist you are. At any rate, congratulations are in order! Little Evie is going to be a star journalist. I’d ask you for your autograph, but I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing it on every letter. (Really, I’m very pleased for you.) Just beware of Hopper, would you?
I see you’re putting your drawing into practice. I sliced the envelope open along the top with a knife to preserve the trio of wrens you drew on the flap. It’s tucked neatly inside my notebook now, for safekeeping. Did you know wrens symbolise strength? I wonder which bird will be next. Perhaps one that symbolises dinner. I’m starved.
Did you read the Report of the Committee on Alleged German Outrages? I heard it’s a real dinger; lists all the wretched things the Germans are doing at war and in the towns they’ve captured. Not that I need to read the account, since I see it firsthand, but I wonder at the word “alleged” in the title. Maybe the newspapers have become too loose in their fact gathering. It’s hard to say since the journalists don’t seem to be allowed near us out here. I hope your column brings the truth to light.
I sent a telegram to Amandine Morel at the field hospital back in , to tell her of Will’s death, but the reply I received said that she had taken ill and returned to her home in Paris. I hope the telegram was forwarded on to her, poor girl.
Do keep me informed of your writing successes. I am so very proud of you. You’re like a sister to me, and I want nothing more than to see you happy.
Your friend,
Tom
P.S. Have you heard any news of the Americans joining the war? We talk about it constantly here.
From Thomas to John Hopper
30th July, 1915
Somewhere in France
Dear John,
Greetings from the Front. I wanted to commend you on your suggestion to add the column “A Woman’s War” to the LDT. Miss Elliott has a natural talent and quite the passion for writing. I can think of nothing better to encourage a family friend, as well as expand our anemic circulation figures. I trust that you and Jack Davies will monitor Miss Elliott’s articles for proper tone and content. However, in the future, would you do me the honour of informing me of any other changes you have in mind first? I’d like to be involved in the decision-making process while my father is ill, before new directions are implemented.
Also, take care to see all articles meet the standards of the Press Bureau. Abshire tells me more and more papers are being issued with “D” letters for violating the bureau’s standards of reporting about happenings at the Front. I am not certain I agree with this sort of monitoring, but who am I to say when I’m so far afield. We must do what they ask to protect the interests of the paper for now.
Sincerely,
Lieutenant Thomas Harding
From John Hopper to Tom
5th August, 1915
London, England
Dear Thomas,
Thank you for your letter. Rest assured I have the paper’s—and Miss Elliott’s—best interests at heart. I must say you kept her rather well-hidden. She is quite the tonic, not to mention very easy on the eye. If it pleases her to write a few little lines every now and then, I am happy to give her a go. If her views on war don’t quite hold up to the quality of our male journalists, I’ll have her write up some wartime recipes, or items on household thrift. Something a little less challenging.
Don’t worry about the paper. You get on with defeating the Germans and I’ll keep the presses running here.
Sincerely,
John Hopper
From Evie to Tom
5th August, 1915
Richmond, England
My dear Tom,
Thank you for replying so quickly. I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear of your approval for the column (not least because I have started working on ideas for the first piece!). Your encouragement means everything to me, since you’re the only one who really understands my desire to write in order to make sense of the world. Alice is all enthusiasm for the idea, too, but Alice would be all enthusiasm if I told her I was going to put on a uniform and rush into battle. I can’t tell Mama (she will entirely disapprove), and although Papa will be more supportive, I think it best to remain anonymous for the time being. I do like your suggestions of a pen name. Josie Hawk has quite the ring of derring-do about it. More like the heroine of a Girl’s Own adventure story than a respected journalist though, don’t you think? I think Genevieve Wren is the one. A wren for strength. Isn’t that what you said?
As for the report you referred to, yes, I did read it, although I rather wish I hadn’t. Alleged Outrages or not, it makes me furious to hear of the Germans’ disgraceful activities.
To the rest of your letter. Hot bread? Really? Never did I think I would see the day when you were fantasizing about a loaf of bread. Do you get nothing decent to eat at all? It makes me cross to think of you all starving. Men need a full stomach to march on. Even I know that. I have sent chocolate and cough candy. I remember how fond you are of both.
How strange that we have known each other for so many years and know so many little things about each other, and yet only in these past months, since writing to you, do I feel that I’ve really begun to know you at all. Letters make one uncommonly honest, don’t you think? I’ve told you things in words that I would have been far too shy or distracted to tell you in person. I wonder if I will have anything to say to you at all when we see each other in the flesh again. Will it be soon? Any news on home leave? Or will it be Christmas at the earliest? At this rate, we will have to settle on Christmas in London and make do with a decent French restaurant. There are already concerns here about food shortages. Mama is sure rationing will become compulsory before much longer.
I’ll be visiting London next week for lunch with John Hopper. He wishes to discuss my first piece for the new column before I send it to the editor. Davies, isn’t it? If I remember correctly you have great respect for him. I hope my piece will impress.