Punch, or the London Charivari, page 9 by Various Authors
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to buy his food for the period March 1st to April 3rd (inclusive).
It was indeed an achievement. Not only were all authorities in existence and duly authorised, but the authorities who had authorised the authorities were themselves authorised in writing to do so--and that authoritatively. However, it was satisfactorily established in formal proof that all persons concerned, including the Camp Commandant, myself and the Sergeant, were in fact the persons we were represented to be. Indeed the last lingering doubt was removed from the mind of the Field Cashier as to his own identity, and (hats off, gentlemen!) England had done her Bit. It was a reluctant bit, but somehow or other it had been done. The money was there. The Command Paymaster could authorise its payment; the Field Cashier could pay it; the Camp Commandant could receive it; I could obtain it; and the Sergeant could get it. May the 8th was fast approaching but----
If a man (especially when he's right away in Canada) will be in such a hurry to enlist that he cannot spare the time to think out things carefully, what can he expect? Shortly after midnight of May 7th to 8th a telegram arrived: "Reference my A.B.C. 3535; your X.Y.Z. 97S; their decimal nine recurring. Please cancel all payment of rtn. allce. to Sergeant Blank, Akk. Akk. Akk. This N.C.O. belonging to a Canadian unit should apply direct to Paymaster, Overseas Contingent, Akk."
The Sergeant said nothing, except to ask me how long I thought the War was likely to last?
Yours ever, Henry.
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[Illustration: Subaltern. "And about this saluting--I want you recruits to be very particular about that. Of course, you know, you don't salute me--you salute the uniform."]
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[Illustration: "Why don't yer see Doctor Smiff abaht it?"
"Is 'e a qualified doctor?"
"I dunno. But I 'ear 'e's done wonders wiv animals."]
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What our V.T.C.'s have to put up with:--
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