rN 1950 a foreign diplomat was calling on an important
person at the Foreign Office. To his surprise he noticed a young man in the ante-room who was busily cleaning a penny whistle, and as soon as the visitor had entered the sanctum he heard the strident tones of the whistle from the next room. The important person flung open the door. 'Burgess!' he exclaimed. 'Once and for all, I will not have you make this confounded noise while 1 am in conference !' He slammed the door. The conversation was resumed, but after a few minutes the visitor heard the sound of the whistle once more, this time faint and muffled, evidently another door or so away. The eyes of the important person met those of the visitor; he hesitated, then evidently decided to do nothing. Did he ever do anything? The story does not go so far.
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