Hugh smiled at him, put his hand to the small of Aleida’s back, and led her away. “If he wants to end this war, he should talk to Hitler.”
Aleida peered at the pamphlet, titled, “A People’s Peace,” which claimed that suing for peace would save Britain, but that her greedy imperialist leaders preferred to let the nation burn.
She clucked her tongue. “If your government followed this advice, Hitler could sail across the Channel without firing a shot.”
Hugh flipped over the pamphlet to where the man’s name was printed with the date and location of his group’s next meeting. “Ironically, if Hitler came, our friend Mr. Filip Zielinski would no longer be free to print pamphlets or publicly proclaim his opinion.”
Aleida brushed aside a pebble with the toe of her shoe. “In a way, Speakers’ Corner reminds me of Beatrice Granville.”
“End this capitalist war?” Hugh raised his eyebrows in a playful way.
She laughed. “Definitely not. But even though she opposed my report, even though it might lead Mr. Armbruster to make changes she doesn’t want, she passed it on. She respected my right to speak even though she disagreed. That shows integrity, and I admire her.”
The shouting intensified behind them.
A large man in a fine suit grabbed Mr. Zielinski by the collar. “How dare you? You came to our country. You benefited from our generosity and hospitality. You benefitted from our liberties. And for what?”
“Albert Ridley?” Hugh’s eyes stretched wide.
“Your friend from the Ministry of Information?” Why did he look familiar?
Hugh’s mouth twitched. “My brother’s friend. Not mine.”
Mr. Ridley shook the smaller man. “For what? You want to destroy the very liberties you enjoy. You want to destroy the nation that sheltered you.”
Mr. Zielinski struggled to break free. “I want to destroy the capitalist system that enslaves—”
Mr. Ridley cried out in inarticulate rage.
“Bert!” A petite blonde tugged on his sleeve. “Stop at once. You’re making a scene, and in front of the children.”
Two young girls cowered behind Mrs. Ridley.
Aleida exchanged an alarmed glance with Hugh.
Mr. Ridley shrugged off his wife’s grip and shook Mr. Zielinski, causing pamphlets to cascade to the ground. “Those who oppose the war effort deserve the severest punishment.”
“Youdotake pleasure in embarrassing me.” Mrs. Ridley raised her reddening face high. “I’m going home. Come along, children.”
“See? You’re undermining the English way of life.” Mr. Ridley shoved Mr. Zielinski.
The older man fell on his backside.
Mr. Ridley stood over him and pointed a finger at him. “High treason—that’s what this is.” He kicked at the pamphlets and marched after his wife.
Hugh rushed forward and helped Mr. Zielinski to his feet, and Aleida and other onlookers gathered the scattered pamphlets.
“Are you all right, sir?” Hugh asked.
“Yes, yes. Thank you.” The man straightened his red scarf and uttered what could only be curse words.
After Aleida returned his pamphlets to him, she and Hugh resumed walking.
Hugh drew a dramatic intake of air. “Ah! Nothing like a peaceful spring day in the park.”
Aleida chuckled, then glanced behind her. “I remember where I’ve seen Mr. Ridley. He visited the office a few months ago.”
“Ridley? What business would he have with the Ministry of Health?”
