They Also Serve. . .

Milton, in his blindness, may have believed this. After having to pay out a lot of good money for the privilege of standing in 45 minute queues several times, and having taken nearly three hours merely to enrol, I doubt it, sir: I doubt it.

Some in the unending queues thought that it was a method of reviving the long defunct medical examination scheme—anyone who could stand it must be fit. Others thought that the whole darn thing was so slow that the heads of the queues had been there since last year.

The British spirit, sir, will stand practically anything provided that it can be convinced that it is necessary in the interests of the Empire or the preservation of British justice. Was this queueing really necessary? I doubt it, sir; I doubt it.

If it suits the convenience of the office to have all fees paid on the day of enrolment, then surely some system can be worked out to avoid this sort of thing. Could the Executive tactfully suggest it, and even perhaps offer to lend a hand in seeing that it doesn't happen next year?

—A staled Fresher.