| Description | It was good of Larmor to send a copy of his New Year Tale, which he would not have seen otherwise, since he is not a regular reader of the Proceedings of the Aristotelean Society. He found it amusing and illuminating and it pleased him to interpret this as making fun of 'wisest heads'. Bumstead's junior colleague, Page, is a devoted relativist and thinks Larmor is not fair on them. He gives family news, including Mrs. Bumstead use of the automobile. His own discontent is the large amount of time he spends in running the laboratory and in administration, but he hopes for better times. John Zeleny has joined them as Hastings's successor. Bumstead had rescued Ernest Nichols from his presidential pedestal. With such industrious colleagues, he is sure his own burdens will be lightened. The war is on their minds, and he believes that Congress is behaving badly, by supporting 'stupid and short-sighted policies'. He mentions the 'Mexican bandit [Francisco 'Pancho'] Villa', crossing the border and attacking a small town [Columbus, New Mexico]. He believes 'that Villa was incited to this outrage by our friends the Germans'. It is encouraging that the French lines at Verdun are holding and he hopes it is a high tide for the war, as Gettyburg was for the Civil War. |