Something has come up at F.O. A festive tale
It is often one of the surprises for new chaps that, once their name is escribed into the rolls of Harrrington’s, they are immediately appointed to Her Majesty’s Department of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Yes, I know, but the whole thing was started in the reign of Queen Victoria and there is only so much changing of titles the memberships will allow before it becomes restive. The reason for this additional duty and privilege becomes clear in late December every year. Imagine, if you will, a poor and benighted member. A year is spent carefully being away at the moment the wife’s ghastly brother comes to visit. They have managed, through assiduous planning, to be on a wholly different continent when that Aunt who is to conviviality what King Herod was to the Bethlehem Tiny Tots Club, stayed for the Whitsuntide public holiday. When the call to do duty by an odious cousin went out, they were not to be found wanting or any...