Midsummer's Eve

A great deal of entertaining was done in the house in the square and it seemed impossible for a dinner party to take place in that splendid dining room without a certain amount of ceremony. Aunt Amaryllis said we were lucky because Peter was able to join us; and it was probably his presence which added dignity to the occasion.

"Very often his work takes him away," Aunt Amaryllis explained. There is always some important committee, particularly now he is concerned with parliamentary affairs.”

She spoke of him in almost reverent tones. I thought it must be rather uncomfortable to live with such a man. I knew it was for Helena and Peterkin but Aunt Amaryllis was like an acolyte serving m the master's temple.

Uncle Peter told us how glad he was to see us in town. We're spying out the land,”

my father told him. "We shall have be thinking about Annora's coming out.”

"It is a little late, I suppose," said my mother. "She'll be past eighteen.”

"There have been delays all round because of what has been happening," replied Aunt Amaryllis. "The Court has been in disarray. The King's been ill for so long and poor Queen Adelaide too. Now we have a new young queen on the throne, things will change, I have no doubt.”

"Have you seen her?" I asked eagerly.

"We were at the Guildhall dinner in November," said Uncle Peter.

"What is she like?”

"Delightful," said Aunt Amaryllis. She turned to Helena and Peterkin. "You've seen her, haven't you, riding in her carriage?”

"She looks very young and very sure of herself," said Helena.

"I suppose she would have to be sure of herself," added Peterkin.

"She certainly seems full of confidence," said Uncle Peter. "I believe it is a good thing for a country to have a young queen for whom the people can show affection.

They are tired of doddering old gentlemen.”

"Peter!" said Aunt Amaryllis in a kind of shocked delight.

"It's true, my dear. George was almost senile at the end, and William was adept at making a fool of himself." He lifted his glass: "Long live Victoria. God save the Queen.”

We all drank to that.

"You'll be here for the coronation?" said Aunt Amaryllis.

"Well ..."began my father.

"Oh come," said Uncle Peter. "It's an historic occasion.”

"We have to see how things are at Eversleigh.”

"Jonathan's taking care of that.”

"There was a time," said my mother, looking at Uncle Peter, "when you were of the opinion that he would not be able to run Eversleigh successfully.”

He gave her a strange look, almost as though there was some understanding between them and he found it hard to suppress his amusement. "It was one of my mistakes,”

he retorted. "Rare, you will agree, but nevertheless a mistake.”

"The coronation festivities will be exciting," said Aunt Amaryllis.

"Several state balls, levees, a Drawing Room and a State concert,' added Uncle Peter.

Aunt Amaryllis looked at her husband with pride and then at her. She said to them: "Your father will of course be able to go children to any that he wishes to Uncle Peter gave her a fond look and I thought: She is the perfect wife which is one who thinks her husband is always right, laughs at his jokes and loves him without question. There must be very few perfect wives. It was typical of Uncle Peter that he should have acquired this rarity. My parents loved each other dearly, but there were often disagreements between them. It had been the same with my grandparents; Tamarisk and Jonathan lived a tempestuous existence; yet they were all love matches.

Only Aunt Amaryllis, from a husband's point of view, must be the perfect wife.

"My dear," he said fondly, for who would not be fond at such blatant admiration, "I shall have to wait and see whether my presence is commanded. I daresay we shall attend one of the balls." He looked at me. "I'm afraid, my dear Annora, that we shall be unable to take you with us as you are not yet out.”

"I didn't expect to go," I told him. "And shall we be in London?”

My father hesitated. He said: "I don't really want to extend my stay. I am thinking of going to Australia and there will be a great many things I have to do at home before I can leave.”

"To Australia," said Uncle Peter. "How interesting." He added with a smile: "The scene of your youth, eh?”

"Exactly. I have property there.”

"It will be very interesting.”

"Peter has a wonderful project in view, haven't you, Peter?" said Aunt Amaryllis.

He looked at her with a kind of tender exasperation, but I knew that behind it he was pleased, because we were now going to hear of another of his triumphs.

'My dear," he said reproachfully, "they will not be interested ...”

'But of course we are," insisted my father. "What is this new achievement? I know they are commonplace with you, Peter, but we country folk like to hear of the great exploits of government. Is there ^election coming up?”