"I've travelled backwards and forwards between Hyde Park Corner and Hammersmith eight times today! My plan will completely eliminate this absurd bunching and long gaps. The differentiation of timing is staggering." - "Well I can't be staggered now, I have a pupil on the line." Brigadier Rayne vents his anger with London Transport.

"Thousands of pounds that wretched charity has in the bank, but can I get them to distribute it?"
Dame Beatrice has a headache.

Lily the housekeeper busies herself.

"The Brigadier's completely ruined one of my clients' Rockingham teapots, Dame Beatrice." - "I merely turned up the oven to heat through my macaroni cheese! I set my pinger to ping at 19:29 and it hasn't gone off yet!"

After noticing that Dame Beatrice is wearing Mrs Spanager's fur coat that Lily stole, the Brigadier, Alice and Hattie hatch a plan to return it under some created confusion.

"I don't feel so calm myself. Could the troops partake of a little something before going over the top?" - "In moderation, an excellent idea!"

"Beautifully back and all safe. The result of superb planning." - "I could have sworn you were really terrified in the lift. You were splendid." - "Thank you dear, but your faint was the highlight."
The stolen fur has been returned.

"Let us drink to our victory. 'To the return of The Breath of Spring.'" - "Surely it's a shameful waste of our talents to use them only for replacing furs?"

'Police pounce on guilty group'
Lily warns the company to be careful, or they'll be making headlines.

"Gather round for briefing! Pay close attention, please! 'Operation Ermine! The enemy guard an ermine coat, value seven hundred and fifty pounds, in cold storage of fur department of store at 'X'...'"

"It's nice to have a moment to ourselves, isn't it? The one drawback of our organisation is that it gives so little time for private matters."

"Oh, not now please Dame dear." - "Lily, you know you said you'd do anything to repay what I did when you came out of Holloway?" - "Yes...?" - "Well now I want you to stop me going into Holloway!

"Let's see what you've got. Whatever you do, you must get that stuff out of the flat! If he's got a search warrant, he'll find it!" - "But where can we take them?"

"Good afternoon. I'm Detective Sargeant Pape of Scotland Yard. Now it's been reported to us that..." - "What did you say your name was?"
The group try to buy time to hide the furs.

"I think I shall be better in about five minutes." Officer Kemp returns with a blanket after Dame Beatrice faints.

"As you're all probably aware, there have lately been several serious fur robberies. They're carried out by an extremely well-organised gang. So when we were given this address..." - "He obviously knows everything, we'd better confess!" - "Confess? Confess what?"

See also A Breath of Spring in 1983.

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