NO RUSH AT THE SHOPS

Perhaps the most notable feature was the absence from London streets of the objectionable queue system. No longer did the shops expose blackboards inscribed “No butter, no margarine,” for tradesmen knew that casual customers could not demand these commodities except at their registered shops. In the neighbourhood of Smithfield retail shops were open, and the display of quarters of beef seemed almost a revival of their former opulent supplies. Perhaps the most tantalising item in the provision shops was bacon. Those who had waited in the past in queues to obtain their half-pound or pound of whatever cut came to hand as they approached the counter looked ruefully at the substantial pieces of back or streaky or gammon that seemed to have emerged from the void to take their places upon the shelves. If there were any reckless laying down of the family coupons it was surely this irresistible temptation that brought about the disbursement, with results of short commons at the end of the week as yet unrealised. Eggs seemed fairly plentiful. Cheese was demanded, but was not forthcoming, while tinned salmon and lobster, sardines and bloater or shrimp paste in glass had taken the places of the corned beef and other viands of last week.