No one was there except a corporal, so I asked him to get through to Sir Philip Sassoon, and said that I would wait outside till he did so.
Presently he called me in, and Sassoon said I was to paint the Chief, and would I come to lunch the next day at Advanced H.Q., G.H.Q.?
after which we talked and laughed a bit.

When I hung up the receiver, I turned round, and there was a large A.S.C.Colonel glaring at me.

I was so taken aback, as I had not heard him come in, that I didn't even salute him.

He roared at me, "Are you an S.S.O. ?" (Senior Supply Officer).

"No," said I, "I'm a painter!" I never saw a man in such a fury in my life.