"An officer at present in France desires a good job in civil life. No
experience, no education, no languages, no money, no prospects and no
hope. What offers?"
"I don't think they'll bring much," said I. "You know, John, what we
really want is leave."
So we applied for leave.
John asked permission to remove his person to the U.K. for urgent and
private reasons. I stated that I had a position offered me, but an
interview was necessary, and asked their indulgence for the purpose.
John's chit came back three days later. "Will this officer state his
urgent and private reasons, please?"
"Ah!" said John, "enemy attitude hostile." Nevertheless he stated as
required.
Three days later it came back again with the request that this officer
further state his reasons, please.
"Enemy attitude distinctly hostile," said John, and committed himself
further.
Nothing happened for a week and John's hopes ran high. "It must be
through, old man," he declared, "or it would have been back before
now."
But when at the end of the week it came back for further information
his ardour cooled somewhat, and when, three days later, it turned up
once more with a request for his urgent and private reasons, John in
a fit of exasperation retorted that if the matter was kept much longer
it wouldn't be urgent, and if they enquired much further it wouldn't
be private. That finished him, and he got no leave.
My application was still on the tapis. Eventually it returned. "This
officer can be granted leave only on condition that he promises to
serve with the Rhine Army."
"Go on," said John; "promise."
So I promised.
Now, looking over the situation, we find that it amounts to this: John
has no job and never will have till he can get leave to look for one.
He can't get leave. That's John.
I have a job (I haven't really) if I can get leave to attend an
interview. I've got leave, but only on the understanding that when
I've got the job I refuse it because I've promised to serve on the
Rhine. That's me.
We are now thinking out the next move.
* * * * *