Paths of Glory

I'm definitely behind schedule for finishing 52 books this year, and I'll lay some of the blame on this book.

It wasn't a real page-turner. I admired how Archer took a real-life story and fictionalized it. At times, however, the action screeched to a halt. Here's an example of how that happened, in a scene where George (the protagonist) goes to a meeting with his former boss (Mr. Fletcher), the headmaster at a school:

Mr. Fletcher was a stickler for punctuality, and would no doubt be pleased, and possibly even surprised, that George was five minutes early. George straightened his gown and took off his mortar board before knocking on the door of the outer office.

"Come in," said a voice. George entered the room to find Fletcher's secretary, Miss Sharpe, seated at her desk. Nothing changes, he thought. "Welcome back, Mr. Mallory," she said. "May I say," she added, "how much we've all been looking forward to seeing you again following your triumph on Everest." On Everest, thought George, but not on top of it. "I'll let the headmaster know you're here."

"Thank you, Miss Sharpe," said George as she went into the adjoining room. A moment later the door opened. "The headmaster will see you now," she said.

"Thank you," George repeated, and marched into Mr. Fletcher's study. Miss Sharpe closed the door behind him.

"Good morning, Mallory," said the headmaster as he rose from behind his desk. "Good of you to be so punctual."

What is the point of the encounter with the secretary, who is never seen again? Could we not dispense with her and go straight to the headmaster's office door? To me, this kind of ponderous action makes for difficult reading. Sorry, Mr. Archer.