Free Wigs on the Green by Nancy Mitford Page A

Chalford, ‘bring her to see me some time. Poor dear Puggie (her father) was a great friend of my darling Malmains. But, dearest child, is it not rather adventurous for you two young women to be staying quite alone in a country inn? Of course I know the Jolly Roger is a very respectable sort of place, but even so, I feel that it is hardly suitable. Would you not both prefer to move in here until your husband arrives?’
    Poppy however, deciding in her own mind that freedom was preferable to comfort, made excuses which Lady Chalford accepted graciously enough. Soon after this Jasper and Eugenia appeared, having finished their tour of the house.
    ‘I think we should be going now,’ Poppy said.
    When they had left Lady Chalford made her way to her husband’s bedroom, and shouting down his ear-trumpet informed him that Poppy was a dear child with wonderfully red lips who reminded her vividly of darling Aggie. ‘I only fear,’ she added, ‘that she may be rather unconventional in some of her habits. She evidently walked home quite alone with young Mr Aspect. I wonder whether I ought to encourage Eugenia in this friendship.’ Lord Chalford made no comment. He lay, as always, on his back, staring at the beautiful plaster ceiling high above his bed. Lady Chalford invariably consulted him before taking any decision.
    ‘Perhaps really,’ she went on, ‘I ought not to invite her hereagain, perhaps I should give up all idea of this garden party and pageant.’
    She sighed, knowing quite well that to do so would be beyond her power. Now that it had once made its appearance that young gay face must often be seen at Chalford House. It had brought a happiness into her life which she had not known for sixteen years, the happiness of talking freely, cosily, and at length to another woman.
    Eugenia walked back to the Jolly Roger with her friends. Her animals came too.
    Poppy said: ‘I think your grandmother is a perfect angel.’
    ‘She is,’ said Eugenia, ‘I’m fond of the poor old female myself, but I can never forget that she has treated me really very badly. She wouldn’t let me go to school, you see, and the result is that I hardly know any Greek at all. I did manage to learn Latin, with the clergyman at Rackenbridge but only after making the most fearful fuss. She never wanted me to.’
    ‘I doubt whether you would have learnt much Greek at school, judging by the perfect illiteracy of the schoolgirls I have met,’ said Jasper.
    ‘Then I wanted to go and study National Socialism in Germany, but she stopped me doing that too. She is a great trial to me, the poor old female.’
    Poppy told them about the projected garden party, and Lady Chalford’s idea of having a pageant at the same time, upon which Eugenia flew into a state of excitement.
    ‘Don’t you see,’ she cried, ‘that this is a most wonderful opportunity for having a grand Social Unionist rally. All the comrades (the Union Jackshirt Comrades, I mean) for miles round, can act in the pageant and help us in every way; they’d love it. Then we will make the people pay to come in and like that will earn a lot of money for the funds.’
    ‘That wasn’t quite your grandmother’s idea, you know,’ said Poppy doubtfully.
    ‘No, of course not, but there’s no reason why T.P.O.F. should ever find out, she’s very easy to deceive in such ways. I say, the Comrades will be pleased. Union Jackshirt Aspect, I shall count on your support in this matter.’
    ‘You shall have it,’ said Jasper.
    In the garden of the Jolly Roger they found Noel, who, accompanied by Mrs Lace, was gloomily awaiting their arrival. Noel would have preferred to keep his find to himself for a little longer, but Mrs Lace, having wheedled out of him the true identities of Miss Smith and Miss Jones, absolutely insisted upon meeting them. Lady Marjorie, however, was still reposing on her bed.
    The introductions having been effected Mrs Lace became extremely gushing towards Poppy, and waved