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and have led a luxurious life, I think it does them great credit that they would not so much as employ a deputy.
    As we drove back to Maintenance –
    â€œMore meat for the demagogues,” said Mansel. “You see, they’re landed gentry. That they work like galley-slaves is beside the point. They are the master and mistress of Buckram Place.”
    â€œThat’s Communism,” said Jenny.
    â€œAll demagogues,” said I, “are convertible Communists.”
    â€œHow d’you convert them, darling?”
    â€œMake them landed gentry,” said I. “But I don’t think they’d live in two rooms at Buckram Place.”
    Â 
    The Earl and Countess of Avon drove over to luncheon with us on the following day.
    They were a gentle pair. Nol Avon was more than half blind from a wound in the first great war: it was Julie’s pride and pleasure to lend her husband her eyes. To see them together was moving – each loved the other so well. For the last few years, except to visit close friends, they seldom moved outside their beautiful Hampshire home. I except their visits to Canada, where Avon had a fine ranch.
    â€œI’m ashamed of you, Nol,” said Mansel. “Stripping Lockley like this.”
    Nol Avon laughed.
    â€œFor The Master’s Lodging, you mean? We’re not giving very much. Besides, the stuff will go to a very good home. What is the sense of keeping it to be sold?”
    â€œOh, I know,” said Mansel. “Have you really made Boy free of your beautiful library?”
    â€œJonah, as you probably saw, six months ago old Raven of Maidenhair died. When his library came to be sold, a dealer measured the shelves with a three-foot rule – and purchased those handsome volumes at so much a yard.”
    â€œMy God,” said I.
    â€œIt’s true,” said Nol. “And we’re sentimental enough to feel that such fine and faithful servants shouldn’t be treated like that.” He sighed. “The children should be all right. They’re taking to Canada. Not what I’d hoped, of course. But I think it’s best. And we shall get through somehow… The staff and the tenants are safe – I’ve seen to that. It’s best to do these things while yet there is time. And the Public Trustee has been extremely helpful. The Income Tax people are cross, but we’ve nothing to hide. We’ve been living on the family silver for more than a year.”
    â€œO wise Lord Avon,” said Mansel.
    â€œSay rather ‘prudent’, Jonah.”
    â€œOr méchant ,” said Julie. “Quand on l’attaque, il se défend.”
    â€œVery good,” cried Jenny, clapping her hands. “You’ll be known as the wicked Lord Avon in days to come.”
    â€œTo that, my sweet, I am prepared to submit. And you, Richard?”
    â€œWe’re living on capital, too. If we weren’t, we shouldn’t be here. Nor would the staff. And they don’t want to leave Maintenance. Of course we don’t hunt any more, but we do what we can with the farms and I think we shall just make out.”
    â€œAnd Berry and Daphne, Jonah?”
    â€œThey can’t come back,” said Jonah. “Berry would never survive a winter here. He’s quite all right by Lisbon. And Jill and Boy won’t leave them. I’m very thankful to winter there myself.”
    â€œHow wise you were to make over White Ladies when you did.”
    â€œIt broke our hearts,” said Mansel, “but we felt it was right.”
    â€œAnd that will survive; but Maintenance, Lockley and Buckram will disappear. I don’t like the present much: but I like the look of the future a good deal less.”
    Mansel nodded. “In twenty or thirty years, the process of levelling down will be complete. That is, if no catastrophe occurs. Nothing worth having will be left. There’ll be no one and nothing to look up to, no