The Quality of Mercy by David Roberts Page B

surprising, listened to her answers. He treated her with charm and courtesy but never patronized her or talked down to her as so many men, particularly politicians, were prone to do. Weaver seemed amused by the trouble Churchill was taking with her and absolutely refused to let his wife take the ladies out when the port and brandy were circulated. It was a courtesy Verity appreciated – as she also appreciated Churchill’s restraint in not mentioning Edward. He was sensitive enough to know that she would resent the least hint that he was being polite to her out of consideration for her friend.
    She was enthralled by Churchill’s estimate of how badly the country was doing in its efforts to catch up with Germany. ‘A stolen march indeed,’ he said, taking the cigar out of his mouth and breathing smoke like some benevolent dragon. ‘It can hardly be doubted that the Germans have laid new types of fighters and bombers upon their mass production plants. As they order whole-sale from a unified industry, full supplies of these should be available by next April. Perhaps Miss Mitford is able to furnish us with more detail?’
    Unity refused to admit that there was any threat to Britain. ‘The Führer has often expressed to me the friendship he feels for us. We are Aryans and the natural allies of . . .’
    Without seeming to hear her, Churchill continued to talk about the Anschluss and what it meant to Britain. ‘The gravity of what has happened to Austria cannot be exaggerated. Europe is confronted with a programme of aggression, nicely calculated and timed, and there is only one choice open – not just to us but to other countries in Europe. We either submit, like Austria, or take effective measures while time remains to ward off the danger and, if it cannot be warded off, to cope with it.’
    His measured phrases and deep seriousness impressed Verity profoundly. ‘And will the next victim of Hitler’s mad aggression be Czechoslovakia, do you think?’ she asked.
    ‘I do. Czechoslovakia manufactures the munitions on which both Rumania and Yugoslavia depend for their defence. Isolated on three sides by Hitler’s annexation of Austria, her fate is sealed. No doubt to English ears the name Czechoslovakia sounds outlandish,’ he continued. ‘It is just a small democratic state with an army not much larger than ours. I have hopes that they will stand firm but can they hold out in the long run without our support and the support of the French? I very much doubt it. Some people have called me a warmonger but I must remind them – remind you all – that force and violence are, alas, the ultimate reality.’
    ‘Why are you not in the government, sir?’ Stuart Rose asked.
    ‘That is the question,’ Weaver said, pouring himself another brandy. ‘That is indeed the question – where is the only man with the strength of purpose and moral authority to stand up to Hitler?’
    Unity stood up to leave. ‘I cannot listen to any more of this nonsense,’ she said with a touch of hysteria. ‘Why cannot any of you understand that we must stand as a friend to Germany? Herr Hitler is not the enemy. The Jews and the Communists – they are the enemy.’
    When Unity had gone, Stuart Rose looked round the table and said drily, ‘A year or two back, I spent a few days in Styria in a little inn at Aflenz. Burnt into the beams of the ceiling was this couplet, “ Wer ehrlich denkt und handelt recht , Er bleibt im Dreck , es geht ihm schlecht ,” which I would roughly translate as “He who thinks honourably and behaves justly gets left behind and has no success.”’
    Churchill harrumphed and Weaver grinned his tiger-smile.
    ‘You speak good German, Mr Rose,’ Verity said in surprise. ‘It’s better than mine.’
    ‘Not at all,’ he replied, almost too quickly. ‘I just happened to remember those lines. I have no idea who wrote them.’
    With the departure of Unity the conversation became less political and more relaxed. Rose