The Orderly explained that it was so, and, after a cordial leave-taking on the part of the visitor, saw him out and returned.
"Do you know who that was, Jim?" he asked.
"Soon as he started pumping me," replied James, "I offered myself a hundred quid to a bob on his being a noospaper man, but there was no taker at the price, bobs being scarce and me having a dead cert. Suppose I shall be in the local paper on Saturday, Bill?"
"Yes. Thrilling Tales from the Trenches, number forty-three."
"Pity he had to go so soon," sighed James. "I was only just beginning to get into my stride."
Cheerful One (to newcomer, on being asked what the trenches are like). "If yer stands up yer get sniped; if yer keeps down yer gets drowned; if yer moves about yer get shelled; and if yer stands still yer gets court-martialled for frost-bite."
From the current Directory of the London Telephone Service:—