"Think carefully," he urged. "We don't want to pass you as fit if we
can help it."
He seemed so anxious that I felt ashamed to disappoint him.
"Well," I replied, "the only thing I can call to mind is that,
according to my mother, I had a severe teething rash when I was ten
months old."
As I uttered these words the faces of all became suddenly grave.
"That is quite enough, Mr. Smith," said the President. "You are given
total exemption. You should never have been brought here at all, but I
am sure you will realise that in times of national emergency mistakes
of this nature are bound to occur. If you will apply to the Cashier on
your way out he will give you a draft for twenty pounds, to reimburse
you in some small way for the loss of your valuable time. Good-bye!"
He held out his hand, but before I could grasp it a mist again
enveloped me, from which I emerged upon the dreadful facts of life.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Employer._ "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"
_Old Operative._ "'AVING ME 'AIR CUT."
_Employer._ "WHAT, IN _MY_ TIME?"
_Old Operative._ "WELL, IT GREW IN YOUR TIME."]
* * * * *