A Lesson in Secrets_ A Maisie Dobbs Novel - Jacqueline Winspear [104]
Roth raised an eyebrow. “I am. However, they seem to have conducted their liaison away from the college premises, so I am not concerned unduly. I might if it comes to a sticky end, as these things often do.”
“Are you concerned that Headley might put some pressure on you to reinstate Miss Lang’s contract, so that his son is not upset by her departure?”
Roth smiled and shook his head. “Not at all, Miss Dobbs. In confidence—and I must insist that you keep this knowledge under your hat—Miss Lang is leaving the college because Mr. Dunstan Headley did not want her contract renewed. It is the only time he has ever stepped forward with a request, which was put to Greville before he died. Of course, he agreed.”
“Do you know the reason for his request?”
“He did not like her. Personally, I believe he did not care for the fact that she is Austrian by birth, but I am sure you understand the implications of my observation; it could render my own position here somewhat tenuous, though I believe I have enjoyed a cordial relationship with Mr. Headley thus far. Miss Lang has been very upset, and I can understand why.”
Maisie nodded. She came back to another subject, one that continued to nip at her heels since she began the investigation. “Dr. Roth, we’ve talked about Dr. Liddicote’s book inciting men to mutiny in France, and I wondered if you’d had any more . . . recollections. I have become interested in his work, and when I speak to others about it—I know a few booksellers, for example—there are always mutterings about a mutiny.”
Roth sighed. “I will tell you this, and then let that be the end of it.” He scraped his chair back across the polished wood floor, stood up, and began to pace, his arms folded across his chest. As he spoke, he looked up occasionally to meet Maisie’s eyes with his own. “Greville Liddicote’s book caused a massive mutiny—however, it was not limited to the British line. As you may know, in places, the distance between the German and British front lines was mere yards. There was often some sort of fraternization across the lines, though when battle commenced it was terrible, terrible. But there was a knowledge that we were all in it at the behest of our betters, so sometimes a word went back and forth, a ‘Guten Morgen’ or a ‘Mornin’, all.’ The book was read by soldiers, and even those who could not read knew the story. Then a copy of the book made its way across, and one day someone attached a note saying that it was about time the fathers went home to their children. Of course, many young men did not have children, but it was as if they suddenly envisioned the children they might have if the war were over. So the few soldiers who walked away from the war were just the beginning; it turned into a mutiny on both sides, and at once that few yards of no-man’s-land became a great distance as troops drew back. I was one of those soldiers, Miss Dobbs, though my wound saved me from the fate of execution. In truth, very few were executed, on either side—there were too many to lose—but Dunstan Headley’s son lost his life. So, we were all joined, you see, by this event, which was initiated by one very brave man with a pen and paper. Such men do not come along very often, Miss Dobbs, and they are the true heroes. Greville Liddicote was my hero.” He stopped in front of her. “Your government and my government will never admit this happened. It will be held secret, and if revealed, it will be long after you and I are gone from this world. So, it would be as well if what I have said remains between us, held within the walls of this room.”
Maisie promised discretion on her part, but she had another question. “Dunstan Headley is a remarkable man, to have managed to forgive Dr. Liddicote for the story that effectively killed his son—don’t you think?”
Roth shrugged. “I’m not sure that he ever really forgave him. I think he has had to work hard at rising above his grief to contribute in such a way. And he knew, I am sure, that Dr. Liddicote struggled with his responsibility.”
“Are you saying