ONLY two M.P.s among the early arrivals sported the traditional silk topper when the Commons resumed yesterday after the Easter recess to hear Mr. R. A. Butler, Chancellor of the Exchequer, open his second Budget. The “be-toppered” members were Sir William Darling (C., South Edinburgh) and Mr. Gerald Nabarro (C., Kidderminster).

That was an extremely awkward moment. Everyone was watching.

To speak of lavatories is U, of bathrooms non-U; to lay cloth napkins at table is U, to lay paper napkins non-U; and so on through a myriad of equally trivial examples. I assume that there is something distinctively collusive in the way Sloanes use the U-concept: that as they individually decide whether something is U or non-U they look over their shoulders to make sure they stay in step—the community is the authority—rather than looking to the thing itself to see what profile it displays.

The cross-handed grip helps in maintaining the wrist position.