War gloom.

Wednesday, March 27th., Yacht Club, London.

Sydney and Beatrice Webb

Lunch at Webb's. Webb said his wife couldn't sleep on account of the war news, and he had to exaggerate his usual tranquil optimism in order to keep the household together. It was one of the rare human touches I have noticed in the said household. It is hard to imagine any tenderness between the two, let alone passion! Yet Beatrice is an attractive woman. Surely there must be times when the intellect gives way to normal animal instincts? Anyway, they were soon off into the misdeeds of the Reconstruction Committee. I was told that certain of the staff of the Department of Information (Webb termed it 'Propaganda') had resigned when Beaverbrook was appointed Minister over them, refusing to serve under 'that ignorant man'. They won and were transferred to the Foreign Office. One more instance of the hand-to-mouthism of Lloyd George according to Webb. I thought they would be pleased to hear of the abdictaion of the Czar, and the progress of the revolution in Russia. But no sign.

Went from there to the Reform to see the papers. Massingham was so gloomy he could hardly speak. The brothers McKenna came in intensely pessimistic. I was rather ashamed of them. Spender's two articles in the Westminster were A1 for fortitude and wisdom. I think more and more highly of this man. Then to flat to dine. Electricity not working there. Gloom of candles. Marguerite very gloomy about the war. This sort of thing always makes me cheerful. There is a perverse side to my nature which has often been pointed out to me which makes me take a tack opposite to the general mood.

Sybil Colefax gave a very good description of the All Clear Signal in a few words at dinner. She said she was walking with her husband in the streets towards the end of a raid. Everything was quite silent. Then the search Lights began winking the All Clear all about the sky. Then the sound of the All Clear bugles was heard. Then the footsteps of a man. Then the footsteps of ten people, of twenty, of a hundred. The town was alive again!