The Way Ahead Page #2

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Great long beggars.

No, nothing's changed.

Except that life's much

easier than it used to be.

Now all them battle courses.

Lot of nonsense!

Anything to get out of marching.

Cushy, compared to what we had to do.

Up to our knees in water to cross a stream.

No time to take your boots off.

No joke, it was.

Nowadays, they're afraid of getting their feet

wet Might get in a draught and catch cold.

Lot of nonsense.

One sergeant we had used to shout and scream,

just to make it sound like a real battle.

Wouldn't like that sort of caper nowadays.

Too worried about them fancy battle suits

of theirs, these young fellas.

Keeping a crease in their trousers

to go out with a girl.

No buttons to clean like we had.

They don't know what polishing is.

And another thing, we didn't get broke off for a

cup of tea every five minutes like they do now.

We had to keep on marching,

dressing properly by the right

with bayonets gleaming and everything.

Looked lovely it did.

Didn't feel so lovely, though.

No joke when you've got wet feet

and the sergeant's watching you,

specially when it's hot.

Didn't have no feelings,

those old sergeants.

No taking it easy with them -

"left right, left right" -

had to watch your step, you did.

If you made a mistake in the drill,

you all had to go back and do it again.

Much easier.

I don't know why they don't call

some of us up, some of the old Dogs.

We'd show 'em.

No need to, Dad. Look.

- Big new call-up.

- Fat lot of good that'll do.

Duke of Glendon's Light Infantry.

I know it's wrong.

Mr Davenport said so himself. He said

definitely they were going to get me deferred.

I was on the list. He said so himself.

Eat your egg.

I think you rely too much on Mr Davenport.

Oh, you don't know him. He'll do something.

That's one thing about the firm,

they never let you down.

I'm sorry, Parsons, but it's been agreed

that Mr Thyrtle in the bargain basement

will deal with all deferments in future,

so if you'd care to go and see him...

But you must realise, you know,

there's a war on.

Only key men are deferred now.

I understand, but is there a chance that Mr

Thyrtle might do something? You see, my wife...

We've lost Collins from Refrigerators

and Barker from Winter Sports this week.

There was nothing Mr Thyrtle could do.

- I see, sir.

- I'm sorry, Parsons.

Mr Thyrtle, please. Quickly.

No, thank you.

By the way, Parsons,

I think it might be less um...

shall I say, embarrassing

for both of us if we...

forget... disregard any differences in status

which may have existed at the... at the store.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

I must say, I think it very -

to put it mildly - thoughtless

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