‘Always so busy.’ Philip sighed. ‘I wonder that you find any time to read at all. Have you finishedThe Mill on the Floss? Ican recommendSilas Marnertoo. I’m sure there’s a copy in the house somewhere. Shall I ask Mother for you?’
‘Ask her what?’
It was Clara’s voice. Kate hadn’t noticed her approaching them across the grass.
‘I was just telling Kate how Mother would be happy to lend her another book,’ Philip said.
‘Oh, yes, of course. She’s quite the reader, is Kate, amongst other things,’ Clara replied casting a knowing look in Kate’s direction. Was it obvious that Kate was attracted to Philip? Was he attracted to her?
‘In fact, she’s a most unusual young woman altogether,’ Clara continued. ‘She’s going to join the suffragettes. Has she told you about the meeting?’
‘What meeting?’ Philip said.
‘Mother took the two of us to a meeting at the Winchester Society. There was a march and banners and there were so many women, all calling for the vote.’
‘Does Father know?’ Philip asked.
‘Does Father need to know? He’ll only object,’ Clara said, becoming more animated. ‘You know, Philip. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life at tea parties being weighed up by old dowagers as suitable wives for their sons or nephews. I want to do what you’re doing, take the university entrance exam. I want to be like those women who are standing up for their rights. I believe that their cause is a just one. Women should have the vote.’
Kate felt uncomfortable being on the edge of this discussion and began shifting her feet. Clara’s voice was becoming more insistent. She started to move away when Philip clearly sensed her discomfort and said, ‘No need to get heated about it. I agree with you, Clara. I won’t say anything to Father. I think you should talk to Mother. She went to the meeting too, she musthave some sympathy for the idea of a woman contributing more to society.’
Kate took the pause in the conversation as her opportunity to leave. ‘Excuse me, Miss Clara, Master Philip, I think I should be getting on with my work.’
‘Of course,’ Philip said. ‘We mustn’t keep you. Clara and I will continue this debate alone.’
‘No wait, Kate, stay. You’re just as involved in this as I am. You’d like to know more about the suffragettes too, wouldn’t you?’
‘Yes but . . .’
‘Well then. I have a plan. Will you help us, Philip? Will you come to the next meeting with us?’
‘I thought it was all women?’ Philip said.
‘No, there are some men that support us as well. There was one who spoke at the meeting, a Mr Kennedy, he came all the way from London just to show that there are men who agree with what we’re trying to do, not only for us privileged women but for working women as well.’
‘Us? You are suffragettes already, then, are you?’ Philip teased.
‘I can’t call myself one until I’ve done something positive to help,’ Clara replied. ‘You know I won’t be allowed out unless I’m chaperoned. We could say we’re going to an event at the Meeting Rooms. I believe there’s a talk in the Guildhall on the same evening as the suffragette meeting, about the origins of the Twinings company or some such.’
‘Not one of my major interests but all right then,’ Philip said.
‘And Kate must come too,’ Clara added.
‘Of course, she must,’ Philip agreed.
So, she was to be invited out by Clara, and Philip would be there too! She couldn’t quite believe what was happening. What would Eliza make of it, she wondered? Probably best not to tellher the whole story, in case she blabbed to Mrs B who would be all ifs and buts. Enough to say she was required to accompany Miss Clara for the evening. Her mind was busy working out how this had all occurred while she said a flustered thank you and took her basket of washing back to the kitchen.
Chapter Nine
July 1913
‘Excuse me, sorry, thank you, excuse me.’ Clara apologized to everyone as the three of them moved along the line of seated people.
‘Why do intelligent women sit at the edges and leave a gap in the middle?’ Philip asked his sister.
‘Sssh,’ Clara responded, her glare in Philip’s direction signifying her embarrassment.
‘Probably in case they need to dash for the ladies’ room,’ Philip whispered to Kate, who blushed and suppressed a giggle.
