Ruth’s Diary

For the past few days we have seen nothing but glaring headlines over the European crisis. The pact just signed between Hitler & Stalin has been a great blow to England. Everything is now in readiness & many with whom we have talked feel sure that something is going to happen immediately. While others think that like the scare in September the air will clear. Today we planned we went to Windsor Castle, taking an 8:30 train from Paddington Station. We arrived in Windsor about 10:00. In the station there was a huge sign giving the signals for air raids & what to do. We were to see more of these posted in conspicuous places before the end of the day. As we were told that we couldn’t get into Windsor before 11:00 we had breakfast, or perhaps lunch. Then we went to the Castle only to be told that for the first time in the history of England the life guard had been called to London & the only ones stationed there were recruits of the cavalry. These guards looked like very young boys. The air raid warden at the gate was of the opinion that nothing would happen that if, no war, but that there would be general mobilization tomorrow. Again we heard it emphasized that England was fully prepared – come what might. Throughout the tour the main topic of conversation was the present crisis. I overheard one who felt that Chamberlain was too vacillating & hesitating & that there should be someone of definite action. In the little shop where we bought cards – the clerk opened the conversation with, “Things look a bit black politically, don’t they?”. Another guard inside had seen 3 years of service in the British Army – Sargent Major in the World War. He had 5 years in the service at the present time. He too did not think there would be a war (For the tour, see the guide book). [We also saw Queen Mary’s Doll House – unbelievable – the wine cellar (wine bottles) with real wine – in the library real books, – the smallest Bible & the London Times in miniature – real cameras, hot & cold running water – all the electrical appliances really work. The paintings in the living room are all originals. Even a baby grand piano that can be played]. Before we left Windsor Castle we climbed to one of the towers for a view of the town. It certainly is a picturesque spot on the Thames. From Windsor we went to Eton College. I was very much impressed with the antiquity of the place. We didn’t have time to go through the college, but we walked through the cloisters. It gave one a feeling of horror to see the plaques in memory of those killed in the war & to wonder if the same story was again to be repeated soon. We took a bus here to Stokes Poges(?) to the peaceful churchyard of Gray’s Elegy. It was aloof & still – far from the nervousness & restlessness of London, where everyone was awaiting some let-up of the tension. This tension which pervaded even Windsor. The entrance to the church through cemetery was lined with beautiful rose trees. We had planned to go to Hampton Court Palace, but again we (Helen & I) had supper reservations at the hostel so we took a train at Slough for London. We had interesting train companions into the city, working men. They pointed out to us guns & cannon in the parks outside London which had not been there in the morning. One of the men had been of the regiment which was stationed for the occupation of the Rhine after the war. We got to talking about the European tension. They all announced strongly that England would support Poland. To get them talking I suggested that they had not helped Czechoslovakia. That was a moral agreement, one insisted, this with Poland was in black & white. I couldn’t say why the pledge of support, whether written or unwritten, didn’t bind England to take action, but to them there was a great difference. Again a point we had heard so many times – in September they were not at all prepared, but now they were & England would never back down. In the evening Dot, Elsie, Helen & I walked down through Doughty Street where Dickens had lived then took a bus down to Fleet Street. We walked past many little shops where many illustrious persons had often paused & saw the Cheshire Cheese shop where Ben Johnson used to “hang out”. After much questioning & wandering down little side streets we came to Dickon’s Old Curiosity Shop. It was quaint & picturesque tucked in amongst larger more modern buildings. The streets were practically deserted. We stepped into a dark inner court which proved to be where the barristers & lawyers lived. There was a scrub woman still at work who came out & filled her pail in the fountain in the center of the court. She called herself Rebecca of the well. We asked her if it was always as dark & deserted & she said no that they were ready for any emergency. Another man we talked with reiterated the same thing that this night was the night when everyone generally went to the theater, but because of the uncertainty of what might happen only few had cared to attend. This same was verified by a “bobby” with whom we talked. While we were talking a car drove up & stopped & signalled to the policeman & had told him to do no gossiping. We walked on & took a bus back to the hostel. All cars in the street were driving with parking lights only. The next morning we heard that at 4 A.M. there had been a practice “black out”.
Speaking of black outs – Harold & Florence went by a shop that sold the black out paper so they stopped inside to make a purchase. The clerk asked them if they wanted the 12 page or the 20 page. They priced & asked for the 12 page. Much to their amazement when their order was brought forth it was sheets of plain black paper – they thought they were buying a pamphlet, I guess. After much hemming & hawing they informed the clerk it wasn’t large enough & backed out.