[1] As the town is still £2,000 short of the sum it requires for the purchase of a Spitfire, the platoon decide to drum up support by performing a morris dance at the fund-raising carnival.
He reveals that his paramour, the widowed Mrs Fox, has become involved with another man – Mr Gordon, the town clerk, who Sergeant Wilson describes as "a bald-headed old duffer", much to Mainwaring's annoyance.
Reluctantly, Mainwaring agrees to meet with Mrs Fox in the Marigold Tea Rooms – unfortunately, a large portion of the platoon is crowded into the cafe to watch, sensing a scandalous affair.
Mainwaring is distinctly embarrassed by the whole thing; he is clearly made uncomfortable by the overly forward Mrs Fox, who he describes as a "flashy woman".
Mainwaring tries to speak to her on Jones' behalf, but when he subtly refers to a new bald-headed admirer, she assumes he means himself – and in the process mistakenly believes he is trying to proposition her.
They enter to find the Vicar, Verger, Warden Hodges and Town Clerk are holding trials for a Lady Godiva to ride at the head of the coming Spitfire Fund procession.