LAST DAYS IN ENGLAND In spite of the encouraging tone of the foregoing letters, everything was not well with Page.

All through the winter of 1917-1918 his associates at the Embassy had noticed a change for the worse in his health.

He seemed to be growing thinner; his face was daily becoming more haggard; he tired easily, and, after walking the short distance from his house to his Embassy, he would drop listlessly into his chair.
His general bearing was that of a man who was physically and nervously exhausted.

It was hoped that the holiday at St.Ives would help him; that he greatly enjoyed that visit, especially the westward--homeward--outlook on the Atlantic which it gave him, his letters clearly show; there was a temporary improvement also in his health, but only a temporary one.

The last great effort which he made in the interest of the common cause was Secretary Baker's visit; the activities which this entailed wearied him, but the pleasure he obtained from the resultant increase in the American participation made the experience one of the most profitable of his life.