M.C., B.A., M.P.

but something between thirty and forty, I suppose. It
seemed to us to be hundreds. I do not know what the ex-
planation was., but perhaps it was that the enemy aero-
planes had failed to find their objective and were emptying
out their bombs before crossing the line on their way back.
Whatever the explanation, what rests in my mind is not
only my own personal terror, which was quite inexpressible,
because bombing is more demoralizing in its effects than
the worst shell-fire, but the comment made when it was
over by somebody who said, " There now, you have had
your first taste of the next war I " *

It was chiefly his precocious organizing talent that dis-
tinguished him and led to his promotion after his experi-
ence . of fighting on the Somme to Lord Plumer's staff.
He rose to the rank of captain at the age of twenty, and*
was actually posted brigade-major on his brigade's staff.

The war ended, and left him at the age of twenty-one
successful as a soldier, with administrative ability plainly
revealed, but with no plan for civilian life. His father had
died, and his brother Timothy had succeeded to the
baronetcy and the life of country leisure that this was con-
sidered to entail. It was left to Anthony to carve out a
career for himself; the family that had given two sons to
the country had survived it with a diminished fortune. The
Edens may once have done well out of their country in the
way of offices and appointments, but when the time came
they repaid that debt in full.

It was Lady Eden, apparently, who suggested to Anthony
that he should go up to Oxford and make up for the futile
years of warfare. * I think,' she is reported to have said
to an interviewer from the Sunday Referee, * that I can
claim to have brought about Anthony's entry into politics
after the war. I suggested that he should go to Oxford
when he left the army. He hesitated first when I mentioned
it. " What, go back to school, Mother? ", I remember him
saying with an amazed expression. But he went.*