Summary

In Chapter Twenty, October comes on. It is the morning of the fete. Beatrice sees the wife of the fishmonger walking through the streets sadly while birds scatter from the ground. They have lost their son among the first battles in Europe. Hugh and Daniel prepare for the day. Agatha and John watch the parade. They see Hugh come by in his ambulance. Daniel’s squad, the Artists Rifles, comes by as well. Beatrice enjoys the parade and the festivities. Mrs. Fothergill, however, has arranged a last-minute surprise for her float where she stands as Britannia and Celeste as Belgium: locals, dressed like Germans, come charging the float. Celeste has flashbacks and begins screaming. Hugh and Beatrice rush to her immediately. Celeste has a fit, and Hugh and Beatrice must struggle to restrain her and calm her. Hugh carries Celeste home...