(11/13) Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read

remember? Couldn't hear the band. That was one autumn, as I recollect.'
    The rector, who had been noting down suggestions, waited, pen poised, for the tumult to subside.
    When at last it did, there was a scuffling at the back and Gladys Hodge, the wife of Percy the local farmer, spoke up. She was much respected in the community, and the general opinion was that Percy, who had lost two wives and been turned down by various other ladies, suitable and unsuitable, had done very well for himself in this recent marriage.
    Gladys had raised one hand to command the chairman's attention, and was nudging a pink-faced Percy with the other.
    'My husband,' said Gladys, 'has a suggestion.'
    Percy, much flustered, was pushed to his feet.
    'Well,' he began, 'I know all about it being October and maybe cold or windy or too dark too soon, and all that caper, but what about 5 November?'
    'What about it?' said one.
    'That's Guy Fawkes, soppy,' said another.
    'We're talking about 1 October, Perce.'
    'I know, I know!' cried Percy doggedly, 'but what I'm saying is, we know everyone comes to Bonfire Night and we all has a rattling good time, even if it is dark, and the fire keeps us warm if it's cold, and the kids love it as much as us old 'uns, and I'll be pleased to give the potatoes to bake in the ashes, for this occasion, just like I always do for Guy Fawkes.'
    At this he sat down abruptly on to his uncomfortable chair, and there was a murmur of general approval.
    Mrs Gibbons was heard to say that two Bonfire Nights were surely too much.
    'Can't have too much of a good thing,' said Ella loudly, 'and I think it's a grand idea.'
    It certainly seemed to please those present, and the rector put Percy's proposal to the meeting. All hands, it seemed, were raised, and the rector thanked Percy for his inspired suggestion, and for the generous offer of baked potatoes which, as was customary, would be cooked by the boy scouts, if that would be all right with the scoutmaster.
    He, unfortunately, was not present to clinch the matter.
    'Gone to his auntie's funeral.'
    'Fell off a ladder and bust his collarbone.'
    'Goes to Morris dancing every Wednesday.'
    These were a few of the explanations given for the scoutmaster's absence. As a matter of fact, he had completely forgotten about the meeting, and was lime-washing his henhouse ready for the summer.
    The rector promised to get in touch with him, thanked everyone present, and the meeting drew to a close.
    'Come and have a drink,' said Harold to Charles as the gathering broke up.
    'I should like that,' said Charles. 'I find meetings rather tiring, I must say.'
    'You're a first-class chairman,' Harold told him as they walked next door to the Shoosmiths' house.
    'Oh, no, indeed!' protested Charles. 'I fear I let people talk too much.'
    'That's why I say you are a first-class chairman,' repeated Harold. 'And just right for Thrush Green. Everyone goes home happy. In your place I should have got through the business in half the time, and made a host of enemies.'
    He pushed open the front door, and Isobel was there to welcome them.

    In the same week it was Isobel who drove Winnie Bailey down to Barton-on-Sea to spend a few days with her old friends Dorothy and Agnes.
    Dorothy had offered to fetch Winnie in her Metro, but Isobel pointed out that it would be simpler if she could bring their visitor, as she, too, would like to have a few breaths of sea air.
    Privately, she felt that Winnie would have a more comfortable and peaceful journey in her Audi, for she herself seldom spoke when she was at the wheel, and she knew that Dorothy kept up a loud monologue, accompanied by waving hands, which could tire and alarm a nervous passenger.
    Agnes had prepared a delicious lunch of chicken and ham with pineapple, in a creamy sauce, which was followed by sherry trifle. Replete, the ladies sat in the sunny sitting-room with their coffee, and exchanged news.
    Tim, the cat, sat purring on Winnie's knee, and Isobel remembered the