Chapter 7 third quarter

A police inquest took place three days later. The time of Mrs Symington's death was determined to be between three and four o'clock in the afternoon, when she was alone at home, Symington was in the office, the servants were out on vacation that day, Elsie Holland took the two boys out for a walk, Meghan goes for a ride on her bike. The anonymous letter must have been delivered by the postman in the afternoon. Mrs. Symmington took out the letter from the mailbox, and after reading it—suddenly, she felt a surge of excitement. After dissolving, write the last words first: "I really can't live anymore..." Then I swallowed the cup of poison.

Irving Griffey presented medical evidence and emphasized that he thought Mrs Symington was very nervous and physically weak.The coroner was mild and discreet, and spoke contemptuously of the men who wrote those dastardly anonymous letters.He said that whoever wrote the wickedly deceitful letter was morally the murderer.He hoped that the police could find out the murderer as soon as possible and bring him to justice.This kind of shameful, despicable, and evil behavior should be punished with death.The jury then handed down an inevitable verdict: suicide in a state of temporary insanity. The coroner had done his best - and so had Owen Griffey.But later, when I huddled among a group of enthusiastic village women, I heard a resentful whisper that I later became very familiar with: "I said a long time ago that there is no fire without smoke. There must be something in the letter." , otherwise how could she commit suicide..."

At this moment, I suddenly hated Linstak, this small place, and those women who love to gossip behind their backs. Outside, Amy Griffey said with a sigh: "Well, it's finally over. Dick Symmington's nightmare is going to explode sooner or later. I don't know if he ever doubted it in his heart." I was in shock. "But you should have heard him emphatically say that the letter was full of nonsense, and not a word of it was true?" "Of course he said that. It's true. A husband has to take his wife's side, and Dick will." She paused, and then explained, "You know, I've known Dick Symington for a long time. For a long time."

"Really?" I said in surprise, "But I heard from Brother Ling that he only practiced medicine here for a few short years." "Yes, but Dick Symington used to come to our house up north, and I've known him for a long time." I looked at Amy curiously.In that softer voice again, she said, "I know Dick very well . . . he's a proud, reserved man, but also very jealous." I said cautiously: "That's why Mrs Symington was afraid to show him that letter, or tell him about it. She was afraid that a man as jealous as he was would not believe her denial."

Miss Griffey looked at me angrily and contemptuously, and said, "God, do you think a woman would kill herself by swallowing poison because of a false accusation?" "The coroner seems to think so, and my brother--" Amy interrupted me and said: "Men are all the same, they will only maintain nominal righteous behavior, but you can't make me believe that kind of thing. If an innocent woman receives such a boring anonymous letter, she will laugh it off and throw it away. I will-- ’ She paused, then said, ‘That’s what I’ll do.’ But I have noticed her meal.I'm almost 100 percent sure that she meant to say "that's what I do".

"I am determined to declare war on the enemy." "I see," I said cheerfully, "you've already received anonymous letters, haven't you?" Amy Griffey, who disdained liars, hesitated a moment before blushing and said, "Oh, yes, but I didn't bother myself with that." "Is it uncomfortable?" I asked with a sympathetic attitude. "Of course, this kind of thing is like this. Nervous, nonsense! I only read a few words, and I knew what was going on, and threw it into the trash can." "It didn't occur to you to show it to the police?"

"It didn't occur to me at the time, I always felt—" I almost couldn't help blurting out: "There is no smoke without fire!" But I still restrained myself and didn't say it. I asked her if she had thought about whether the death of Megan's mother would cause her financial difficulties, and whether she would need to make a living on her own? "I remember her grandmother leaving her a small sum of money, and of course Dick would give her a place to live forever. But maybe it would be better if she could get a job and stop hanging around like she's doing now."

"I think a girl of Megan's age is the age who loves to play and doesn't want to work." Amy blushed and said sharply, "You're just like any other man. You don't like women competing with you men. You can't believe that women can earn money and live. That's what my parents thought. I'm so sorry." Hope to study medicine, they just don't want to hear me mention paying tuition, but they are willing to pay for Owen's tuition. But I believe that if I really study medicine, I will be a better doctor than my brother .” "It's a pity," I said, "you must be feeling bad that one wants to do something..."

She quickly went on to say: "Oh, I don't think about it now, I have a lot of self-control, I have a very busy life, and I can say that I am the happiest person in Lynstack. Too much to do Now, I am determined to stand up against the prejudice that women can only do things at home." "Sorry to offend you," I said. I never imagined that Amy Griffey could speak so vehemently.