Under the Sign of the Swastika

[Tabs]

"The stairs to the guest room may be a problem," wonders Cecily. "I have an idea: there's a chaise lounge in the library next door, let's put her there. Have you travelled far today, Elisabeth?"

[Mr. Handy]

"An excellent idea, Cecily," says Elisabeth. "We arrived in town yesterday, but we've been busy running errands all day. We've been doing a lot of shopping too. While it's enjoyable, it can also be exhausting. Posie had a nap earlier and is well rested, but Mingzhu hasn't until now."

[aine]

"She looks very comfortable there and she may be embarrassed if we wake her now. Leave her be." Santiago looks kindly at the sleeping girl and nods to Mr Norrin before holding his arm out to Elizabeth to escort her to the dining room.

[Mr. Handy]

Elisabeth links arms with Santiago and takes Posie by the hand, then heads to the dining room with them.

[Tabs]

"Take a seat wherever you wish," says Cecily.

"Now, my dear," says Mr. Norrin to Elisabeth, "I suppose you were one of Ivan's--Professor Pavlov that is--students?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you, Cecily," says Elisabeth. "I'd like to sit by you." She turns to Mr. Norrin. "No, I haven't had that pleasure, but I did meet Professor Pavlov recently and discussed his experiments with him. Why do you ask?"

[Tabs]

Cecily and Elisabeth sit down beside each other, Posie opposite, and then the men, with Mr. Norrin at the head of the table.

"I only assumed, my dear," replies Mr. Norrin. "I haven't met up with Professor Pavlov for several months--I really should travel to Peking."

"Oh you should, Beauchamp!" interrupts Cecily, giving a playful, and undisguised, wink at Elisabeth.

Mr. Norrin chuckles. He continues: "So you know about his dogs?--sorry, that sounded a little uncouth." The servant who collected their coats walks in carrying a tureen. He deftly ladles a bowl of consommé for everyone.

[aine]

Santiago barely disguises a sigh of relief - finally some decent food!

[Mr. Handy]

"Quite all right," says Elisabeth. "I understand what you meant. Yes, I learned about his behavioral conditioning experiments when I studied psychology at university. Professor Pavlov would ring a bell each time before he fed them. Eventually, the sound of the bell alone was enough to make them salivate, even if there was no food. People can be similarly conditioned. The smell of this consommé has much the same effect on me, for instance." She smiles, inhaling the aroma.

[Tabs]

"Wine!" says Mr. Norrin, he snaps his fingers and says to himself, "I always forget something!" He takes a decanter and offers to pour for those who want their glass filled.

"Do you have any more animals?" asks Posie.

"Like the bear, little one?" he says, "no, I am afraid not. Bertram, for that is his name, lives here all by himself."

"Beauchamp!" laughs Cecily. "You forget this house was infested with departed creatures when we first moved in "--she turns to Elisabeth--"a proper menagerie."

[Mr. Handy]

"Did a taxidermist used to live here?" asks Elisabeth.

[Tabs]

"Mr. Harding, Beauchamp's predecessor at the Hospital, was the hunter--in his youth. He"--she whispers--"had a heart attack. Very sudden it was. All of his belongings were here still," and Cecily adds, "The house goes with the job.

"The menagerie is up in the attics."

Mr. Norrin pauses his pouring, decanter in hand, "I didn't know that, Cecily?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Oh, poor Mr. Harding," says Elisabeth. "And it's a shame most of his trophies are put away where nobody sees them. Could we perhaps have a look at them after supper?" She knows that Posie will be delighted to see more stuffed animals judging from her reaction to the bear.

[aine]

Santiago eats heartily. "I too would be interested to see the menagerie, it's always interesting to see the different species that exist in a new country. I'm hoping to do some hunting here in China at some stage; it'll be helpful to know what to look out for." Once Mr Norris has finished pouring, Santiago takes his glass and smells the wine; it seems promising, "To our generous hosts!" He raises his glass.

[Mr. Handy]

"Hear, hear!" cheers Elisabeth, raising her own glass and clinking it with Santiago's.

[Tabs]

"Thank you, sir," and to Elisabeth, "madam. Ah---" he says, beaming happily as the roast is served.



"When I have no calls to make or visitors, I often go up to the attic and sit amongst the animals--soothing," and Cecily adds, "--Spirit of the Beehive, and all that."

"But their life has long gone, dearest," says Mr. Norrin, seemingly a little put out--possibly by the implication that his wife is bored and their marriage is not as perfect as he would like his guests to perceive.

"Oh, Beechy," sighs Cecily. "Red currant jelly?" she asks, offering the condiment to her husband. She says, "Of course I would be delighted to show you all the menagerie after dinner."

"Goodie!" exclaims Posie.

"Ahem,"--Mr. Norrin clears his throat, "Argentina, sir? . . ."

[Mr. Handy]

With the focus of the conversation now on Santiago, Elisabeth takes advantage of the opportunity to tuck into the roast.

[aine]

Santiago regretfully but politely lowers his fork and casts a wry smile at Elizabeth. "Ah yes, beautiful Argentina. My family, we have a lot of land there and I spent my youth learning to manage the estates. Recently though, some family, er, 'property' was stolen from our castillo during the recent troubles in Spain. So I am tracking it down." He shrugs his shoulders and takes a mouthful. "This is very good!"

[Mr. Handy]

"Mmm-hmm," says Elisabeth, nodding and grinning. She cuts herself another piece.

[Tabs]

The servant walks over to Mr. Norrin, and whispers in his ear. There is a commotion from the hallway. Several soldiers, in Chinese Nationalist uniform and armed with carbines, march into the dining room. The soldiers part to allow a civillian, wearing a white fedora and suit, to approach the table.



"These two," he means Elisabeth and Santiago, "are wanted by the Bureau of Chinese National Military Council for arson and murder!"

"Whaaat!" cries a stunned Mr. Norrin, Cecily drops her cutlery, which clatter on to her plate.