The End of the Holidays explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Resilience in Adversity

  The Saxon family faces financial ruin and loss of home but resolves to support each other and 'keep the colors flying.'

• Social Class and Status

  The family's fall from wealth and the social implications of losing Rotherwood are central to the chapter.

• Community and Belonging

  Ingred's anxiety about returning to school without the status of Rotherwood reflects her sense of belonging.

Characters to notice

• Ingred Saxon

  The youngest but one, dark-haired, struggles with the family's changed circumstances and the prospect of not living at Rotherwood.

• Quenrede Saxon

  Ingred's older sister, just left school, proud of her Saxon name, disappointed she 'missed the war' and finds post-war life dull.

• Mr. Saxon

  Architect who volunteered for war, now demobilized and facing a diminished professional connection.

• Mrs. Saxon

  Devoted mother and nurse during the war, now gently breaking the news of financial hardship to Ingred.

• Egbert

  Eldest son, demobilized after war service.

• Athelstane

  Second son, demobilized, to enter medical school at Birkshaw.

• Hereward

  Youngest son, taller than Ingred, will commute to school daily.

Key passages

• “When war broke out, he had been amongst the first to volunteer for his country’s service, and, as a further act of patriotism, he and his wife had decided to offer the use of 'Rotherwood' for a Red Cross Hospital.”

  Mr. Saxon immediately enlisted and the family lent their home as a hospital.

  Shows the family's wartime sacrifice and patriotism.

• “Instead of being rich people, we shall have to be very careful indeed to make ends meet.”

  The family is no longer wealthy and must budget carefully.

  Highlights the financial reversal.

• “We’re fighting fortune now, instead of the Hun, and we must show her a brave face.”

  We must be as courageous in facing poverty as we were in war.

  Mrs. Saxon's rallying cry for resilience.