This is vintage Waugh. It is 1939 and England is on the doorstep to war. Enter all of Waughs usual suspects. Basil Seal comes to the aid of his sister, who has become responsible for billeting evacuees. Incidentally, he develops a scheme to enrich himself by extorting money from residents for not billeting several undesirables with them. Then its on to the Ministry of War where with more shenanigans he manages to wreck mere havoc. Surrounding this is the inevitable inanity of buying commissions for the privileged and preparing for war. Its an apt prelude to the Sword of Honor trilogy.

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