Lily (Taken at the Flood)

In the novel Taken at the Flood, Lily is one of the maids at the Stag in Warmsley Vale. She is employed by the landlady, Miss Lippincott, along with the chambermaid called Gladys. She is described as "an adenoidal girl with a giggle and pale boiled-gooseberry eyes". Among other things, she helps the landlady to serve out drinks and meals to customers.

When David Hunter comes to the inn, Lily becomes giggly and expresses admiration of his good looks. Miss Lippincott waves it off, saying that she has seen many men like him in the war: "Never could be sure about their cheques. Often had such a way with them that you'd cash the things against your better judgement." She in turn admits to her appreciation of classy men, leaving the confused maid with the words: "A gentleman's a gentleman even if she does drive a tractor!" This is a thinly-veiled remark about Rowley Cloade.