Be Ye Men Of Valour

An innocent question by a Saturday Reader about the title of the very first chapter has helped to add another layer of detail, understanding and time-hopping.

Be Ye Men of Valour was  Churchill's first speech to the nation as Prime Minister on 19th May 1940. In turn, this quotation comes from the First Book of Maccabees. It is the title to that cake-laden afternoon in a Munich cafe, November 1930. Armed with both fore-knowledge and Hugh's revolver from the First World War, Ursula is the ultimate Woman of Valour. How many times has Ursula heard Churchill's speech before she gets to this point? Ironic too, that Hitler is dispatched with a  revolver from the Great War.

As we read on, it becomes apparent to us that Ursula has seen enough and understands sufficiently to take matters into her own hands and become mistress of her own fate. Of course, on that November afternoon in  1930 the last thing on Ursula's mind is her own fate. We discussed what her motivation in carrying out this suicidal assassination is. Apart from any altruistic desire to remove Hitler from history, by now Ursula's prime motivation, we concluded, is personal, familial to the utmost. Another Saturday Reader pointed out that Hitler is not Ursula's only victim in her journey to protect her family. Bridget suffers a variety of injuries as Ursula tries to prevent her bringing home the influenza that devastated Europe at the end of the First World War.

So, only as we continue reading do we come to appreciate the dogged resolution of Ursula and the significance of Ye Men of Valour. How it contrasts with the dainty lace hanky, Ursula's maintains her good manners to the last - I only hope Sylvie would approve. Now we understand why she endured Maurice's company to learn to shoot.

Crumbs, guns and lace: what if?