‘Because,’ Ursula explained, ‘she didn’t drink, ever, and most of the people knew and clapped, and Aunt Florence said at once: “That wasn’t fair, was it? You didn’t know about my humdrum habits.” And she said: “If things are as bad as that you should apply to my Relief Supply Service. We send plenty of eggs in from Mount Moon.” ’

Ursula’s voice ran down on a note of uncertainty. Douglas Grace cut in with his loud laugh. ‘And the woman shouted “I’d rather be without eggs,” and Aunt Floss said: “Just as well perhaps while I’m on my soap-box,” and they roared with laughter.’

‘Parry and riposte,’ muttered Fabian. ‘Parry and riposte!’

‘It was damned quick of her, Fabian,’ said Douglas Grace.

‘And the kids continued eggless.’

‘That wasn’t Aunt Florence’s fault,’ said Ursula.

‘All right, darling. My sympathies are with the woman but let it pass. I must say,’ Fabian added, ‘that in a sort of way I rather enjoyed Floss’s electioneering campaign.’

‘You don’t understand the people in this country,’ said Grace. ‘We like it straight from the shoulder and Aunt Floss gave it to us that way. She had them eating out of her hand, hadn’t she, Terry?’

‘She was very popular,’ said Terence Lynne.

‘Did her husband take an active part in her public life?’ asked Alleyn.

‘It practically killed him,’ said Miss Lynne, clicking her needles.

There was a flabbergasted silence and she continued sedately. ‘He went for long drives and sat on platforms and fagged about from one meeting to another. This house was never quiet. What with Red Cross and Women’s Institute and EPS and political parties it was never quiet. Even this room, which was supposed to be his, was invaded.’

‘She was always looking after him,’ Ursula protested. ‘That’s unfair, Terry. She looked after him marvellously.’

‘It was like being minded by a hurricane.’

Fabian and Douglas laughed. ‘You’re disloyal and cruel,’ Ursula flashed out at them. ‘I’m ashamed of you. To make her into a figure of fun! How can you, when you, each of you, owed her so much.’