We'll meet again

"Everything has changed since Pearl Harbor," said Richard. "Even the most pessimistic can't doubt that we shall win.”

"Hitler must be growing very uneasy," remarked my father.

"I think he made a mistake in starting up the second front. It is clear that he is not going to have an easy victory in Russia. I imagine he thought he would plough through as he did in Belgium, Holland, and France. He ought to have given the matter more thought. Lucky for us that he didn't.”

"And now the Americans are in.”

"And it is only a matter of time," Richard assured us.

"Meanwhile it goes on and on," put in my mother. "It was supposed to be over by the first Christmas.”

"We were unprepared," commented Richard. "Now the whole country’s working all out.”

"Even I," said Mary Grace.

She told us about her ministry. Everyone had to work, of course, who had not domestic commitments. She was looking after her mother to some extent, although they had a housekeeper who had been with them for years and was too old to be needed for war work.

However, Mary Grace worked part-time. It was interesting, she said, and she enjoyed it.

"And your painting?" I asked.

"I am still doing that, too.”

Richard could, naturally, tell us little of his activities, but he did say that he would have to be ready to land on the Continent when the time came. We still had to see the outcome between Germany and Russia, and there was a great deal of activity in the Middle East.

But the outlook was certainly more cheerful than it had been for some time.

They had arrived on Friday and would have to leave in the late afternoon of Sunday. It was a very brief visit but we did manage to get a good deal into it. On Saturday Dorabella and I went riding with Richard and Mary Grace; we stopped for lunch at one of the inns we knew well, where we were warmly welcomed by the host.

We talked and laughed a great deal, and I was sorry they had to leave.

We all went to the station to see them off and wish them a quick journey back. Trains were rather uncertain and they could not be sure whether they might not be diverted. Such things happened in wartime and Richard had to be back by midnight.

"Let us do this again... as soon as we can," said my father, and my mother added: "Remember, the first opportunity you get, you must come down.”

"Perhaps you would like to pay a visit to London?" said Richard, looking at me.

"My mother would be delighted to see you," added Mary Grace.

"She often talks of you.”

The train came in and we stood on the platform, waving it out of the station.

My mother looked pleased.

"A very happy weekend," she commented, and I knew that when she was alone with my father she would say that it had done me a world of good.

Mrs. Jermyn wrote. All was well at the Priory. Mrs. Canter was quite a success and the men seemed rather amused by Mrs. Pardell.

They wouldn't allow her to bully them and they teased her rather shamefully. Mrs. Jermyn was afraid she might have objected, but oddly enough, she seemed to like it.

"Your sister tells me that being in your old home seems to agree with you," she wrote. "I guessed it would be a help. Dear Violetta, you must stay there as long as you feel it is necessary. I know how happy it makes your parents to have you, and I am sure Dorabella is enjoying being there, too.

"You will always be welcome when you come back, but much as I should like to see you, I believe it is best for you to stay where you are.

"Don't forget. The first hint of news and you shall know it.”

They were right, of course. I did feel better away from those places where Jowan and I had been together.

A letter came from Mary Grace.

My mother was so interested to hear about our weekend. She wanted to know every detail. She is always saying how much she would love to see you both. It would be fun if you came up. There is still a great deal to see and he done in London now that we are only getting the occasional air raid. I talked to Gretchen about it.

She said how pleased she would be if you came and stayed with her. I think she is rather lonely at times. She has only one maid living in who is a great help with Hildegarde, but it does mean that Gretchen can't get about very much and she hasn't all that many friends. She would simply love to have you.

When I showed that letter to my mother, she said: "Yes, I do worry about Gretchen. It's not easy for her. That business back in Cornwall upset her a lot. Poor girl. She was not wanted in her own country and here ... well, there'll always be that tinge of suspicion. I wish she would come and stay here, but she wouldn't be near enough for Edward's brief leaves.”

"I think we should go up and see her," I said.

The idea certainly appealed to Dorabella. She would be on the spot to see Captain Brent at short notice. As for myself, I should like to be with Gretchen for a while.

"Well," said my mother. "Tristan will be all right. He'll have his grandparents and Nanny.”

So it was arranged that we should spend a week with Gretchen in London.