Her husband sneered. “First car first served, Di. You hadn’t come there before they had; but they’d only come on foot.”
“Poor people,” said Diana placidly, although she had coloured faintly at his tone of voice. “Well, I’m sure I hope they got what they wanted, for there was plenty for everybody, as it turned out. And we know, now, that there isn’t going to be any difficulty about supplies, and that people are particularly asked not to hoard.”
“I’m sure we wouldn’t think of such a thing,” said Lady Aviolet. “Though, naturally, nobody wants to go short. That wouldn’t help to end the war. But I’m afraid there’s a dreadful time ahead while it lasts. I wonder we haven’t heard from Cecil about getting a commission.”
“Boys of that age,” said Ford curtly, “won’t be wanted in a show of this kind. They haven’t the stamina, or the experience, or the physique. It’s men that are wanted, not children from school.”
“I expect he’ll want to go, Ford, and one does hear of younger boys——”
“Not of Cecil’s type, Mother. A silly, emotional lad of that kind gives more trouble than he’s worth. Besides, I doubt if he’d be able to stand fire, frankly.”
Lady Aviolet drew herself up. “My dear Ford, you don’t think what you’re saying. Cecil isn’t a coward. You sometimes almost talk as though he weren’t our own flesh and blood.”
“You always are down on poor Cecil, I’ve noticed it myself,” suddenly added Diana.
“I’m sure I don’t know why Ford should give that impression. He’s always been very good to poor Jim’s boy—naturally,” said Lady Aviolet.
She never allowed any one, least of all Ford’s wife, to imply any shadow of criticism of him.