‘Here look,’ said Jasper, holding up the card, ‘“who hopes he may soon boast a more intimate relationship with her.” How about that?’
‘I hope the duke has honourable intentions,’ said Poppy carelessly. She picked up the tiara and put it back into its case, and then, still holding it, she walked through the hall, ‘Mr Birk!’ she called.
Mr Birk appeared from his parlour.
‘Could I borrow your car now, at once? I want to go to the bank at Rackenbridge.’
‘Yes, by all means, Miss Smith.’
‘It’s after five now,’ said Jasper, ‘banks shut at three, you know, dear.’ Mr Birk looked from one to the other. Poppy said to him, ‘I have got a piece of jewellery here that I am very anxious to see safely locked up, Mr Birk. Do you think there is any way I could get hold of the bank manager?’
‘Yes, certainly, Miss Smith. As it happens the manager is my wife’s brother – I will drive you into Rackenbridge myself, and see to it. I’m sure he will do anything to oblige you. If you will wait a moment I will go and start the car.’
‘Thank you very much,’ said Poppy, ‘I will come round to the garage with you.’ A few minutes later she could be seen driving off in the direction of Rackenbridge, still clutching the precious red leather case.
That Jane has learnt a thing or two since she has been down here, thought Jasper, with some admiration. He turned automatic steps towards the bar where he was met by Mrs Birk.
‘Excuse me troubling you, sir,’ she said, ‘but here is your account for last week. Mr Foster told us that yours is to be kept separate as from last Thursday.’
‘Oh! yes, thanks,’ said Jasper. The bill seemed to him enormous. He read the items, recognized with a sigh that they were correct, and wrote out a cheque for the amount, which he handed airily to Mrs Birk.
‘A double whisky, please,’ he added.
16
The countryside for many miles round Chalford was now made hideous by enormous posters, carefully printed out by hand in black ink, which for weeks past had occupied the leisure hours of Eugenia and her Comrades, and which combined a little discreet propaganda with the announcement that a Grand Social Unionist Rally, Pageant, Garden Party and Olde Englyshe Fayre would take place at Chalford House. The gates would be open at 2.30 p.m. on the Wednesday following, entrance is. Eugenia pointed out to Jasper the true chic of these posters which lay in the fact that no two were alike.
‘Oh really, aren’t they?’ said Jasper, ‘but I thought they looked exactly the same – anyway, they all seem to have a picture of King Kong on them.’
‘How stupid you are,’ said Eugenia, angrily fingering her dagger, ‘can’t you see that’s a Union Jackshirt Comrade handing on the torch of Social Unionism to the youth of Britain? They all have that, I mean that the wording of each is different, according to where it is to be hung. Haven’t you read the one outside the Jolly Roger for instance?’
‘I didn’t read it,’ said Jasper, ‘because I was too busy admiring King – I mean the Union Jackshirt Comrade.’
‘Well, you should. It refers to the decadence of high society in these post-War days, pointing out that its members are no longer of any value to the community as they possess neither moral sense nor political integrity. That’s meant for all of you.’
‘Oh, thanks, I’m sure,’ said Jasper.
‘The posters in Rackenbridge speak of the yellow hand of the Pacifist incendiaries, and how the fate of Van der Lubbe will surely o’ertake all enemies to the Social Unionist cause. There is one on Major Lace’s big cowshed comparing our agricultural policy with that of jelly-breasted Tory politicians, and explaining that agriculture will be nationalized under the régime and farmers allowed no longer to muddle about in their own way. The one on the vicarage wall says that whereas religion has failed so notably in this country Social Unionism will soon be here to take its place, the one on Mr Isaac’s house promises that all Jews will be sent to live in Jerusalem the Golden with milk and honey blest, and the one on Lord Alexander’s park gates has information with regard to the obsolete nature of hereditary legislation.’
‘I expect you must be making yourself most wonderfully popular in these parts.’
‘What is popularity?’ cried Eugenia with contempt. ‘What is life itself compared to The Flag? The Comrades are simply thrilled for Wednesday. I can’t tell you,’ she went on, ‘how splendidly they have arranged everything. Seven big charabancs full of Union Jackshirts are expected, and they are all coming over for the dress-rehearsal on Monday as well. Those who aren’t actually performing are going to dress up in the proper clothes of the period and help swell the cheering for George III. Oh, bother! it is really too bad we have got to have Mrs Lace in that coach.’
‘Never mind, you will have to concentrate on Mr Wilkins, he seems to be quite an enthusiastic member now.’
‘Yes, that’s one comfort. I’m going to ask him if he will wear his little emblem on his robes, after all George III was a sort of prophet, wasn’t he?’
‘Quite batty, I believe,’ said Jasper.
‘Miss Trant has been wonderful,’ continued Eugenia, ‘I can’t think what we should have done without her to help us. She has managed to hire a hundred Dolly Varden and a hundred Dresden Shepherd costumes for only half a crown each, and she is organizing the tea. I must go now and write out post-cards to remind all branches concerned that the dress-rehearsal will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, not 3 as originally settled. Oh! you do think it’s going to be a success Union Jackshirt Aspect, don’t
