18 JULY 1970, Page 12

Love locked out

CHRISTOPHER HOLLIS

'If anyone is a nine-to-fiver who then goes home to the wife, he is very unlikely to make out a big career.' (Mr. Gerald Dennis, personnel director of the Standard Tele- phone Company, to trainees.) O Mistress mine, I love you dearly, But let's get this straight and clearly, I will,work until I burst.

In this business wives are reckoned Very definitely second: Standard Telephones come first.

What is love? 'Tis best hereafter; In later life we may have laughter, Now we cannot spare the time. We are told by Gerald Dennis Too much loving is a menace If the trainee wants to climb,