The New Moon with the Old by Dodie Smith

laughed. One of them asked me: “When did you last see your father?” and I thought of that picture of the little Cavalier boy surrounded by Roundheads. Oh, dear!’ She laughed now, with happy reminiscence.
    There was a loud knock at the door.
    â€˜It’s only the papers,’ said Clare. ‘The boy always knocks like that. Let’s see what we can find in them.’
    â€˜Do you take six daily papers?’ said Jane, as the pile was brought in.
    â€˜Well, it’s only one for each of us and the picture papers for Cook and Edith,’ said Clare. ‘But I suppose we must give some of them up, and all the magazines.’
    â€˜We can’t give up any newspapers while Father’s in the news,” said Merry, searching eagerly.
    Jane was pleased to find Rupert had underestimated his news value. He had made most of the front pages, if only in a small way. There was one bit of information that hadn’t been on television. His whereabouts were said to be unknown.
    â€˜Sounds as if he’s got clean away,’ said Merry. ‘Still, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for him a bit longer.’
    The telephone rang. Clare returned from answering it to say one of Drew’s old ladies had wanted to comfort him.
    â€˜She’s sure it’s all a mistake. I hope a lot of people won’t ring up – though if they don’t, I shall think they’re unfeeling.’
    The telephone rang again. ‘I’ll go this time,’ said Merry. It proved to be the Vicar, asking if he could help in any way and undertaking to pray for them all.
    â€˜Nice of him,’ said Clare. ‘Considering we never go near his church when he’s doing anything in it.’
    Again the telephone rang. This time it was their village grocer, wanting Clare to come in and have a word with him. ‘And I can guess why,’ she said, when Merry brought the message. ‘Let’s go and see how much we owe him.’
    They went into the study and ended by going through all the unpaid bills. Only the previous month’s were outstanding but Jane was staggered by what they amounted to, as they were not only for the very lavish household expenditure but also for clothes, books, gramophone records …
    â€˜Did none of you have allowances?’ she asked.
    â€˜Well, we’ve always had spending money,’ said Clare. ‘And quite a bit of it. But Father paid for most things – and we could order what we liked, within reason. What a lot we owe for meals at the Swan. And Merry’s school fees aren’t paid.’
    â€˜Just as well, as I don’t intend to go back.’
    â€˜Even if you didn’t, we’d owe a term’s fees in lieu of notice. And you must go to some school.’
    â€˜Must I? You just wait and see.’
    â€˜But it’s the law, Merry.’ Clare turned to Jane for support.
    â€˜Here’s the car back,’ said Merry.
    They all went to greet Cook, Edith and Burly, who had been driven back by Drew, Richard having gone to London to see his father’s solicitor.
    â€˜And one or two other people who needed seeing,’ said Drew, while the maids embraced Clare and Merry with lugubrious affection.
    â€˜No doubt you have relatives who can advise you,’ said Jane.
    â€˜We’ve no relatives at all but Father’s Aunt Winifred, and no one could hanker for her advice,’ said Clare. ‘Oh, heavens, Drew, I’ve just remembered Father gave her an allowance.’
    â€˜It was only to make up for sending her away. She’s got plenty without it.’
    â€˜We’ve enough on our minds without thinking of her,’ said Cook. ‘Do you know my worst nightmare? It’s when I dream she’s back here again. Well, Miss Minton, this is a sad day for us all. But no doubt it’ll turn out for the best.’
    â€˜A door never shuts but another opens,’ said Edith.
    â€˜So one’s