ther than diverge from the
narrow grooves in which he had been trained.

The store over which he presided was in a state of indescribable
chaos. It could not be arranged as he had seen stores all his life, so
he did nothing to it at all.

When McKay arrived early next day, Mr. Dawber was being interviewed
by a doctor from a hospital-ship. The discussion had already grown
rather serious.

"I tell you my patients are dying of cold," said the doctor. "I must
have the stoves."

"It is quite impossible," replied Mr. Dawber, "without a requisition
properly signed."

"By whom?"

"It's not my place, sir, to teach you the regulations, but if you
refer to page 347, paragraph 6, you will find that no demands can be
complied with unless they have been through the commanding officer of
the troops, the senior surgeon, the principal medical officer, the
senior commissariat officer, the brigadier, and the general of
division. Bring me a requisition duly completed, and you shall have
the stoves."

"But it is monstrous: preposterous! There is not time. It would take a
week to get these signatures, and I tell you my men are dying."

"I can't help that; you must proceed according to rule."

"It's little short of murder!" said the doctor, now furious.

"And what can I do for you?" said Mr. Dawber, ignoring this remark,
and turning to another applicant, a quartermaster of the Guards.

"I have come for six bags of coffee."

"Where is your requisition?"

The quartermaster produced a large sheet of foolscap, covered with
printing and ruled lines, a mass of figures, and intricate
calculations.

Mr. Dawber seized it, and proceeded to verify the totals, which took
him half-an-hour.

"This column is incorrectly cast; in fact, the form is very carelessly
filled in. But you shall have the coffee--if we can find it."

Further long delay followed, during which Mr. Dawber and his assistant
rummaged the heterogeneous contents of his overcrowded store, and at
last he produced five bags, saying--

"You will have to do with this."

"But it is green coffee," said the quartermaster, protesting. "How are
we to roast it?"

"That's not my business. The coffee is always issued in the green
berry. You will find that it preserves its aroma better when roasted
just before use."

"We should have to burn our tent-poles or musket-stocks to cook it,"
said the quartermaster. "That stuff's no use to me," and he went away
grumbling, leaving the