25 OCTOBER 1940, Page 5

I sat in a village church on Sunday and watched

late-comers —though only late relatively, for it was before eleven—wander- ing up the aisle and into the transept in vain search for a seat. There was not one left, for the accommodation had been taxed to the utmost by the soldiers stationed in the neighbourhood. They crowded in, and do week by week—quite voluntarily, I have every reason to believe; some of them, both officers and men, have joined the choir. I don't know how far this is the common experience. It seems to have some significance if it is, though this particular church holds only about 300.