Chapter 5 Chapter Four: The Old Lawyer's Words

kelber.Mr Jonathan lives in Essex.After politely exchanging a letter with him, Polo accepted his invitation to have dinner and spend the night.This gentle and refined old gentleman does have his own personality.and young George.After Mayhew had a dull conversation, getting along with Jonathan was like tasting homemade grape wine.He has his own way of discussing issues.It wasn't until nearly midnight, when he was sipping a glass of fragrant old brandy, that Jonathan's attitude softened.He felt quite appreciative of Polo's attitude of not urging him by any means.At this moment, he was very willing to take the initiative to talk about the Correll family.

"Of course, our company has been with the Currell family for several generations. I know Anya and his father, Richard, and I also remember Enako, Anya's grandfather. They are country gentlemen who regard horses more than people. Important. They like horses, they like women, they don't like to think too much about ideas. But Richard's wife is full of ideas—more than reason. She likes music and poetry—and can play the harp. She has a very good body Poor, she looks lovely lying on the sofa. She liked Kingsley's poems very much, so she named her son Anya. His father didn't like the name, but finally agreed. Anya from him Gifts from his parents had served him well, artistic gifts from his mother, boundless vigor and relentless egoism from his father. The Curriers were egoists, caring only for themselves and never for others. The old man tapped his fingers gracefully on the handle of the chair, and at the same time gave Poirot a shrewd look. "Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Poirot. But I think you're most interested in—character, aren't you?" Poirot replied: "I'm most interested in all cases, that is, character."

"I can see that. In other words, it's about getting into the inner world of a criminal. It's very interesting and fascinating. Of course, our firm has never done a crime. Even if we were interested, we wouldn't be able to take Mrs. Currier's case." But Mayhew was a perfect fit, and they entrusted Diplitch to argue, he charged a lot of money, and of course, was a very talented performer! It's a pity they didn't expect that Caroline would not cooperate as he wished. She is not a fake woman." "Then what kind of woman is she?" asked Poirot. "That's what I want to know most."

"Yes, yes—of course. Why she did what she did is the most important question. You know, I knew her before she was married. Her real name is Caroline. Happy, very active. Her mother was widowed early in life, and Caroline loved her mother very much. Then her mother remarried and had another child. Yes, very, very sad, and jealousy never lets go." "She's jealous?" "Emotionally, it was jealousy. And a regrettable thing happened. Poor child, she has been terribly sorry for herself ever since. But you know, Mr. Poirot, it's inevitable, who There is no way to prevent it.”

Poirot said: "What happened?" "She hit the child with a book weight, and as a result, the child was blinded in one eye and left a permanent scar on his face." Jonathan sighed, and said, "You can imagine how such a simple matter would affect the trial." He shook his head, and continued: "That incident made people think that Kai Ruolin's temper was very violent and difficult to control. In fact, this is not true." He paused, "Caroline often goes to Audbury to play. She is very good at riding and has quick reflexes. Richard likes her very much. She serves Mrs. Currell. She is dexterous and gentle. Currell Mrs. Er was very fond of her too. She was unhappy in her own house, but happy in Audbury. Anja's sister Diana was also friends with her. Philip and Meridy next door. The Black brothers often came to Audbury. Lee Wan. Philip was a money-maker by all means, and I confess I never liked him very much. But he was said to be a good talker and a good friend. Meredy was a effeminate, sentimental man, fond of plants, Butterflies, watching birds and animals, that's what people call studying nature now. Oh---young people always disappoint their parents, hunting, shooting, fishing. Meredith likes birds and animals better than hunting. But Philip Pu prefers the city to the country and is on the money-making path. Diana marries a man who is not exactly a gentleman, and Anya - strong, handsome, manly Anya - becomes a painter. I remember that Richard died of paralysis. Later, Anya married Caroline, and they quarreled all the time, but they still loved each other. But Anya, like everyone in the Currel family, was a ruthless egoist. He loves Caroline, but never thinks of her, only knows how to do what he likes to do. I think he loves her more than anyone, but she doesn't know much about his art. And he has always looked at his art He is more important than any woman, and he is often entangled with women, because women give him inspiration - but once the inspiration is over, he leaves those women. He is not a fragile man, nor is he romantic, nor is he A carnal man. The only woman he cares about is his wife. She knows it too, so she's quite tolerant of him. You know, he's a really good painter. She understands and respects him. He might Temporarily falling in love with other women, but will eventually come back and bring back a painting to show his achievements." "If it weren't for Elsa Gerry, it might have continued like this forever. Elsa—" Jona Sen shook his head.Poirot asked: "How is she?"

Jonathan said unexpectedly, "Poor boy, poor boy." Poirot said: "You feel that way about her?" Jonathan said: "Maybe I'm old, but I think, Mr. Poirot, that the defenselessness of young people often moves me to tears. Young people are so vulnerable. So ruthless, so sure, So generous, so demanding." He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, took out a book, opened a certain page, and read: "If your love is righteous and honorable, and you want to marry me, then call me to you and tell me When and where will your ceremony be performed I will lay all my riches at your feet and follow you to the ends of the earth my master! This is the love of youth in the words of Juliet. Never silent, never Retreat, and there is no so-called girlish reserve. There is only courage, persistence, youthful vitality. Shakespeare knows young people well. Juliet is better than Romeo, and Desdemona is better than Othello. They have no doubts, no Afraid and not proud, this is young people." Polo said thoughtfully, "Do you think Elsa represents Juliet's spirit?"

"Yes, she is a lucky girl --- young, lovely, and rich. She has found the person of her heart, and hopes to be with him forever --- not young Romeo, but middle-aged , a married painter. Aisha's behavior has no rules, she only knows what she wants, and she can take what she wants—one life is only one life!" He sighed, leaned back in the chair, and tapped the armrest of the chair lightly. "Predatory Juliet! Young, ruthless, yet terribly vulnerable! Everything is all or nothing. On the surface, she seems to have won... Then—at the last moment—death comes— Lively, enthusiastic, cheerful Elsa is dead too. There is only a grim woman left with a bitter hatred for the woman who killed the man she loved."

His voice changed: "God, gosh, please forgive the scene. A young woman who's raw—has a raw view of life. Not an interesting character, I think." .After taking away the youth and enthusiasm, what is left? Just an ordinary young woman who wants to find a hero from life and put it on an empty stage." Poirot said: "If Anja is not a famous painter..." Jonathan quickly agreed: "That's right, that's right, you're right, a woman like Aisha only worships heroes, and only admires accomplished men... But Kai Ruolin can live in an ordinary Find the good points in the little clerk, she loves the man Anya, not the painter Anya. Kai Ruolin is not rough—it is Aisha who is rough."

He added: "But Aisha is young and beautiful, and I think it is very sympathetic." Poirot thought about this question until bedtime. He was really interested in the personalities of these people.To that clerk, Edmund, Aisha is just a frivolous woman and nothing else.But to Jonathan, she is the eternal Juliet. What about Caroline?Everyone sees her differently.Diplech looked down on her, thinking she was just a loser, a coward.Young Fager thinks she represents romance.Edmund only thought of her as a "lady". Jonathan said her character was violent.What kind of evaluation should Polo give her?He felt that the answer to this question depended on the results of his inquiries.So far, no matter how the few people he has seen think of Kai Ruolin, what is certain is that they all think that she is indeed the murderer.