Chapter 21 Chapter 21

Mrs. Wetherby walked home from the post office, with an unexpectedly brisk gait for a patient so accustomed to be regarded as handicapped. Only when she entered the front door of her own house, did she drag her legs into the living room again and again, and collapsed on the sofa. The bell was within reach of her hand, and she rang it. Since there was no answer, she pressed it again, this time her hand resting on the bell for a moment. As the bell rang, Maud Williams appeared in floral overalls, with a duster in her hand. "Did you ring the bell, madam?" "I rang twice. When I rang, I hoped someone would come right away. I might be very sick."

"Excuse me, ma'am. I was upstairs." "I know you're there. You're in my room and I hear you up there. You're opening and closing my drawers. I don't know why you're doing that? It's not yours to peek at my stuff responsibility." "I'm not peeking. I'm putting things in order where you left them." "Nonsense. Prying people like you. I won't allow it. I'm feeling weak right now. Is Miss Deirdre home?" "She took the dog for a walk." "How stupid. She probably knows I need her. Give me a milk and eggs and a little brandy. The brandy's in the sideboard in the dining room."

"There are only three eggs left for breakfast tomorrow." "Then someone has to stop eating eggs. Go ahead, okay? Don't stand there looking at me. You've got too much makeup on for this." There was the sound of dogs barking in the hall, and while Maud was out, Deirdre and her Sealyham terrier entered. "I heard your voice," said Deirdre out of breath. "What did you tell her?" "nothing." "She looked angry." "I let her know her place. Insolent girl." "Oh, dear Mammy, don't you have to? It's so hard to find someone these days. She's such a good cook."

"I don't think she cares at all for my insolence! Oh, well, I won't be with you any longer." Mrs. Weatherby rolled her eyelids, opening and closing her nose. "I walk too far," she said. "You shouldn't have been out, my dear. Why didn't you tell me you were out?" "I thought some fresh air would do me good. It's stuffy. It's all right. A man doesn't really want to live any longer if he's just a burden to others." "You're not a liability, dear. I'd die without you." "You're a good girl—but I can see how much I've tired you, and always scared you."

"You didn't—you didn't," said Deirdre passionately. Mrs. Wetherby sighed and closed her eyelids. "I—can't talk much," she murmured, "I must lie still for a while." "I'll urge Maud to finish the eggs quickly." Deirdre rushed out of the room.In her haste, she bumped her elbow on the table, knocking a bronze idol to the ground. "How clumsy," muttered Mrs. Wetherby to herself, hastily avoiding it. The door opened and Mr. Weatherby entered.He stood at the door for a while.Mrs. Weatherby opened her eyes. "Oh, is that you, Roger?"

"I'm baffled by the noise here. It's impossible to read in peace in this house." "It's all Deirdre's fault, dear. She brought that puppy in." Mr. Weatherby stooped and picked up the grotesque idol from the floor. "Deirdre is old enough to be sure she shouldn't be knocking things over all the time." "She's always in a hurry." "Well, fussing around at her age is ridiculous. Couldn't she keep the dog from barking?" "I'll tell her, Roger." "If she makes this her home, she has to take our wishes into account and not act as if this house, this home, belongs to her."

"Perhaps you'd rather she go away," murmured Mrs. Wetherby.Through half-closed eyes, Mrs. Wetherby watched her husband. "No, of course not. Of course not. Of course her home is with us. I'm just asking her to be more sensible and play it safe." He asked again: "You were out, Edith?" "Yes. I just went to the post office." "Any new news about poor Mrs. Upward?" "The police still don't know who did it." "They seem to have no hope of solving the case. Any motive found? Who got her money?" "I think it's her son."

"Yes—yes, then, it sure looks like it must have been done by the vagrants. You should have told the girl she had to be more careful and lock the front door. Only chains to open the door after late afternoon. These people are ruthless and reckless in this day and age." "It seems nothing has been taken from Mrs. Upward's house." "strangeness." "It's very different from Mrs. McGinty," said Mrs. Weatherby. "Mrs. McGinty? Oh! The cleaning lady. What's she got to do with Mrs. Upward?" "She works for her, Roger." "Don't be silly, Edith."

Mrs. Weatherby closed her eyes again.She smiled to herself as Mr. Weatherby stepped out of the room.When she opened her eyes, she was startled to see Maud standing in front of her, holding a cup in his hand. "Your custard is ready, ma'am," said Maud. Her voice was loud and clear, especially loud in the deathly silence of the house. Mrs. Wetherby looked up with a vague alarm in her heart. How tall and indomitable this girl is.She stood before Mrs. Wetherby like--like "God Doom"--Mrs. Wetherby thought to herself--and then wondered how such a shocking phrase came to her mind.

She raised her elbow to take the glass. "Thank you, Maud," she said. Maud turned and walked out of the room. Mrs. Weatherby was still vaguely depressed.