SHELTERED PEOPLE
ready been mentioned in dispatches. “I don’t understand you, Cyril.”
Hammersley regarded her gravely while Constance Joyliffe took up his cudgels.
“You forget Cyril’s four years at Heidelberg.”
“No I don’t,” said their hostess warmly, “and I could almost believe Cyril had German sympathies.”
“I have, you know,” said Hammersley calmly, sniffing at the rim of his wineglass.
“This is hardly the time to confess it,” said Kipshaven dryly.
Doris sat silent, aware of a deep humiliation which seemed to envelop them both.
Rizzio laughed and produced a clipping from Punch. “Hammersley is merely stoically peaceful. Listen.” And he read:
“I was playing golf one day when the Germans landed
All our troops had run away and all our ships were stranded
And the thought of England’s shame nearly put me off my game.”
Amid the laughter the Honorable Cyril straightened.
“Silly stuff, that,” he said quite seriously, “to put a fellow off his game.” And turning to Lady Joyliffe: “Punch a bit brackish lately. What?”
“Cyril, you’re insular,” from Lady Heathcote.
“No, insulated,” said Doris with a flash of the eyes.
Rizzio laughed. “Highly potential but—er—not dangerous. Why should he be? He’s your typical Briton—sport-loving, calm and nerveless in the most exacting situations—I was at Lords, you know, when
