, you think I would like--I have none
of you or Pa or the family (including Carrie)--and send to me.
"I just got in in time--didn't I? Another week would have been too
late. My funds were getting low; I would not have had _anything_
before long. The U. S. Consul, General Bromley, is much pleased.
The interpreter says it was all in the way I did with the Viceroy in
the interview.
"I will have a chance to go to Peking and later to a tiger hunt in
Mongolia, but for the present I am going to study, work, and
_stroke_ these mandarins till I get a raise. I am the only instructor
in both seamanship and gunnery, and I must know _everything_,
both practically and theoretically. But it will be good for me and
the only thing is, that if I were put back into the Navy I would be
in a dilemma. I think I will get my 'influence' to work, and I want
you people at home to look out, and in case I _am_--if it were
represented to the Sec. that my position here was giving me an
immense lot of practical knowledge professionally--more than I
could get on a ship at sea--I think he would give me two years'
leave on half or quarter pay. Or, I would be willing to do without
pay--only to be kept on the register in my rank.
"I will write more about this. Love to all."
It is characteristic of McGiffin that in the very same letter in which
he announces he has entered foreign service he plans to return to
that of his own country.
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