ABSTRACT
Looking back on her life when sixteen years old, when she was immersed in feminist and socialist politics, Christabel reminisced: Those were the best of all the years. If politics and movements did mean forgoing some things that other people’s children had, those other children had not our Father and Mother, our interesting life. Despite their grown-up status, Christabel and Sylvia were not beyond teasing the still desperately unhappy Adela. In her desire to be loved again, Adela pretended she was lame, a ploy that backfired. Adela was selected to sing in the school’s choral group and one weekend, when Emmeline did not get back in time from a political meeting to attend a concert, Christabel and Sylvia went on their own. The time at Vale Wood Farm passed pleasantly and Richard’s health seemed to improve. The socialist cause was not forgotten, however, particularly the obligation to help comrades who were in less fortunate circumstances.
