Shrines of Gaiety

by Kate Atkinson

“Gossip,” Mr. Pollock called it dismissively, but Gwendolen thought that was the word men gave to women’s conversation. Men talked in order to convey information or to ruminate on cricket scores and campaign statistics. Women, on the other hand, talked in an effort to understand the foibles of human behaviour. If men were to “gossip,” the world might be a better place. There would certainly be fewer wars.

Gwendolen’s heart was moved by the sight of a small posy of withered flowers that had been laid on the memorial. A faded note declared simply For Daddy. What a wicked, wicked world it was that had allowed such a war.

I shall be able to report back to you from the inside. A secret agent!” Her eyes shone with excitement. He hadn’t realized just how headstrong she was. Frobisher feared for her. What had he started? He sensed it would be unstoppable.