Chapter 13 Section 13

"I am kindly invited to tea. I am very grateful," said Miss Marple to Miss Emma Crackenthorpe. Miss Marple showed a particularly confused and stupid look, which is the portrayal of a good old woman.She looked around at the people around her with a big smile on her face.She looked at Harold Crackenthorpe, in a well-fitting dark suit, and at Alfred.He was handing her the sandwich with a big smile, and looked at Cedric again.He was seen standing by the mantelpiece in a battered tweed jacket, frowning at the rest of the family. "We're glad you're here," said Emma politely.

She said nothing about what happened after lunch that day.Emma then exclaimed, "Why, I quite forgot. I said to Miss Esborough that she would take her old aunt to tea to-day." "Don't ask her to bring her here," said Harald abruptly. "We've got a lot to talk about. We don't need a stranger here." "Let her have tea with that girl in the kitchen or something," said Avery. "Oh, no. I can't do that," said Emma firmly. "It would be very rude." "Oh, let her come," said Cedric, "and we can try to get her to say something about what that able Lucy is. I must admit, I'd love to know more about that woman." The case of the child. I dare not say I can trust her. Too clever."

"Her connections are good, and they're all real," Hallard said. "I've been in charge of the investigation. We've got to figure it out. Rummaging like she did, looking for dead bodies..." "If only I could find out who this damned woman is," Alfred said. Harald added a few words angrily: "Emma, ​​I think you must be out of your mind. How could you go to the police station and suggest that the dead woman might be Edmond's girlfriend? This will make them believe her Been here, and maybe one of us is a murderer." "Oh, come on, Harold, don't exaggerate."

"Halald's right," said Alfred. "What the hell you've got, I don't know. I have a feeling that plainclothes police are following me wherever I go." "I told her not to do that," said Cedric, "and Kumpo backed her up." "It's none of his business," said Harold angrily. "Let him keep the pills and the powders, and serve the health of the nation." "Oh, please don't quarrel any more," said Emma wearily. "I am so glad that old Miss What is coming to tea. We have a stranger here, so that we cannot go on and on. One thing, it's good for us. I have to wash my face and put on clean clothes."

She walked out. "This Lucy Esborough," said Harold, and then paused, "is, as Cedric said, strange how she should rummage in the warehouse and open the sarcophagus--that's really A strong man can do it. Maybe we should take some steps. I thought her attitude was hostile at lunch." "Give her to me," said Alfred, "and I'll find out what she's up to soon." "I mean, why did she open that sarcophagus?" "Perhaps she's not Lucy Ashborough at all," Cedric suggested his opinion. "But what will be the purpose?" Harald looked very troubled. "Ah, damn it!"

They looked at each other worriedly. "And this one's coming to tea, nasty old aunt. Just when we're thinking about something." "We'll discuss it tonight," said Alfred. "In the meantime, we're going to get the old aunt to talk about Lucy's real situation." So, when the time came, Miss Marple asked Lucy to fetch her, and seated her by the fire.Now, when Alfred passed the sandwich, she smiled and looked up at him, approving.She's always like that with a good-looking man. "Thanks, may I ask if this is--? Ah, eggs and sardines, well, that's good! I'm afraid I'm a glutton at afternoon tea. Do you know? One's getting old--and, at night, I only Eating very little—I have to be careful. I'll be ninety next year. Yeah, really."

"Eighty-seven," said Lucy. "No, my dear, ninety. You young people don't know everything," said Miss Marple, a little sternly. "What a beautiful house you have! And what a beautiful thing you have in it. The brass." , reminds me of something my father bought at the Paris fair. Really? Did your grandfather buy it? It's all Greco-Roman, isn't it? Very beautiful! Your brothers are all with you, What a joy! Now everyone's brothers and sisters are scattered everywhere—some in India, but I think that's over now, and Africa—the West Coast, with such a bad climate."

"Two of my brothers live in London." "That's great." "But my brother Cedric is a painter and lives on Iveza, one of the Balearic islands." "Painters are so fond of islands, don't you think?" said Mademoiselle Marple. "Chopin—like Majorca, don't you? But he's a musician. I'm thinking of Gauguin now. He had a miserable life." We will feel that his life has been wasted. I personally don't like those paintings of native women on the island. Although I know he is very admired, but I don't like his sallow mustard color. Let's see When I see his paintings, I really feel pessimistic."

She looked at Cedric with a little disapproval. "Miss Marple, tell us something about Lucy's childhood," said Cedric. She smiled and looked up at him happily. "Lucy was always very clever," she said, "yes, you are, dear. Now, don't interrupt me. Excellent maths. I remember a beefman overcounting me once— —” Miss Marple started at full speed, flashing back to Lucy's childhood.From there, she talked about her own childhood in the country. Her reminiscences are interrupted by Brian and the two children.Their clothes got dirty and wet from their eagerness to find clues.The refreshments came, and at the same time Dr. Kunpo entered.After being introduced and greeting the old lady, he looked around at the few people in the room, slightly surprised.

"I hope your father is all right, Emma?" "Oh, no—I mean, he's just a little tired this afternoon." "It's avoiding company, I think," said Miss Marple, with a mischievous smile. "My own father, I remember best. He used to say to my mother, 'Are there a lot of old women coming to tea? My tea is ready in the study.' That's very rude of him." "Please don't think—" Emma began to explain, but Cedric interrupted. "When his sons are home, he always has tea in the study. Psychologically, that's to be expected, isn't it, Doctor?"

Dr. Kunpo was wolfing down sandwiches and coffee cakes with the candid, appreciative attitude of someone who usually doesn't have much time to eat. He said: "There's nothing wrong with psychology if it's left to psychologists. The problem is, everyone's a guest psychologist at the moment. My patients always tell me exactly what psychopath they're suffering from and Crazy, never give me a chance to tell them what it is. Thank you, Emma, ​​and I'll have another cup of tea. No time for lunch today." "I've always thought that the life of a physician is joyful and self-sacrificing," said Miss Marple. "You can't know many physicians," said Dr. Kunpo. "They used to be called vampires. But they're often still vampires these days! Anyway, we're making money at the moment. The state will pay for it, we won't send it out." Bills that we know we won’t pay. The problem is that our patients must try their best to enjoy all kinds of preferential treatment from the government. As a result, if little Jenny coughs twice at night, or little Tommy eats two raw apples, then, The poor doctor has to be here at midnight! Oh, well! What a cake, Emma. What a treat you make!" "I didn't do it. Miss Esborough did it." "It's as delicious as what you make." Dr. Kunpo said faithfully. "Would you please come and see Dad?" She stood up, and the doctor followed her.Miss Marple watched them go out of the room. "I can see that Miss Crackenthorpe is a very faithful daughter," she said. "I can't imagine myself how our old papa can stand it," said straightforward Cedric. "She's got a nice home here; and father is very fond of her," said Harold hastily. "Emma is all right," said Cedric. "She was born to be a spinster." Miss Marple's eyes flickered vaguely as she spoke. "Ah, do you think so?" Harold said quickly: "My brother used the term spinster, without slander, Marple." "Oh, I'm not offended," said Miss Marple, "I just don't know if he's right, and I don't think Miss Crackenthorpe is going to be a spinster myself. The type of girl who gets married late and will have a happy marriage." "It's not like living here," said Cedric. "Never see anyone who can talk about marriage." The gleam in Miss Marple's eyes was more pronounced now. "There's always priests and physicians coming and going." Her eyes looked gentle and mischievous, looking from one person to another. She was clearly hinting at something they had never thought of, and something that would not please them too much. Miss Marple stood up, and at the same moment several small woolen scarves and her handbag dropped to the floor. The three brothers picked it up for her very diligently. "Thank you," said Miss Marple; her voice was like a flute. "Oh, by the way, my little blue scarf. Yes, I have already said that I was kindly invited by you. Do you know? I have been imagining what your house is like, and Lucy working here situation." "Perfect family situation, plus murder," Cedric said. "Cedric!" said Harold angrily. Marple looked up at Cedric with a smile. "You know who it reminds me of when I see you? Thomas Eade, the son of the bank manager in our place. He's always a shocker, but of course that's not the way to go in banking. So , he went to the West Indies. When his father died, he came home and inherited a lot of money, which he always spent more than he earned." Lucy sent Miss Marple home.On the way home, when she was about to turn into the alley behind, a figure flashed out of the darkness and stood in the light of the headlights of the car.The man held up his hand in greeting, and Lucy recognized Alfred Crackenthorpe. "It's better this way," he said, as he got into the car. "Oh, it's cold! I thought I'd be taking a cool walk. But no. You're going to take old aunt home?" "Yes, she is very happy." "We can see that old women are so amusing in the company of anyone, no matter how dull. It's really strange that there is nothing dull about this place at Loserzin. I live here." I can bear it for two days at most. How can you bear it, Lucy? You don't mind if I call you Lucy, do you?" "That's all right. I don't find it boring, though. Of course, it's not a permanent job as far as I'm concerned." "I've been watching you. Lucy, you're a smart girl. You're too smart to waste your time cooking and cleaning." "Thank you, but I prefer cooking and cleaning to sitting in an office." "I don't like sitting in an office either. But, there are other ways to make a living, you can be a freelancer." "I am." "It's not that kind of work. I mean, work for yourself, use your wits against—" "Against what?" "Any power! Fight against all the boring, petty laws and regulations that currently stand in our way. The funniest thing is, if you're smart enough, you can always figure out a way to get over it. You're smart , tell me, does this idea interest you?" "Maybe." Lucy drove the car into the stable yard. "Aren't you going to express your attitude?" "I'll have to listen to it before I talk." "Frankly, miss, I can use you. You have that very rare attitude that inspires confidence in you." "Do you want me to help you sell gold bricks?" "It's not such a risky thing, just to avoid the constraints of the law a little bit, that's all." His hand moved up her arm unconsciously. "You're a very charming girl, Lucy, and I want you to be my partner." "You're complimenting me." "Meaning, no? Think about it. Think of how fun and delightful it is to outwit all those sanctimonious people! The difficulty is that we need capital." "I have no capital." "Oh, I didn't ask you for a loan! I'll get some capital soon. My venerable papa can't live forever, that miserly and tyrannical old man! When he's moaning, I'll catch some Cash. How about it, Lucy?" "What conditions?" "Marry if you like. Women, no matter how aggressive and independent, seem to like it. And a married woman can't be compelled to testify against her husband." "That's not going to please people!" "Stop pretending, Lucy! Don't you know I've got a crush on you?" Lucy was a little surprised, for she felt a strange fascination drawing her.Alfred has a charismatic quality—perhaps purely physical.She laughed and let go of his wrapping arms. "Now is not the time to flirt, it's time to think about preparing dinner." "Yes, Lucy. You're a lovely cook, what's for dinner?" "Just wait and see, you're as bad as those two boys!" They went into the cottage, and Lucy hurried to the kitchen.She was rather surprised when Harold Crackenthorpe interrupted her in the midst of preparing supper. "May I speak to you, Miss Esborough?" "Could it be a little later, Mr. Crackenthorpe? I'm already a little late." "Of course, of course. How about after dinner?" "Ok." Dinner was served on time and well appreciated.Lucy washed the dishes and came into the hall to find Harold Crackenthorpe waiting for her. "What is it, Mr. Crackenthorpe?" "Shall we talk here?" He opened the living room door and led the way.He waited for her to come in and closed the door. "I'm leaving early tomorrow morning," he explained to her, "but I want to tell you how impressed I am with your abilities." "Thank you." Lucy said with some surprise. "I think all your talent is wasted here—absolutely wasted." "Do you think so? I don't." Lucy thought: In any case, he can't propose to me, he already has a wife. "It is your kindness to accompany us through this sad crisis, and when this critical time is over, I suggest that you come and see me in London. If you call to make an appointment, I will tell my secretary to do it. The truth is, our firm could use someone of your caliber. We can discuss fully where it would be best to use your talents, Miss Eisborough. I can pay a very good salary and there will be Bright future. I think you'll be surprised." His smile showed that he was a generous man. Lucy said demurely, "Thank you, Mr. Crackenthorpe. I'll think about it." "Don't wait too long, an opportunity like this cannot be missed by a hard-working young girl." He grinned again. "Good night, Miss Esborough, sleep well." "Ah," said Lucy to herself, "ah... it's all very interesting." She was going back to her room to rest when she met Cedric on the stairs. "Lucy, listen to me, there is one thing I must tell you." "Do you want me to marry you and go to Evesha with you to take care of you?" Cedric was taken aback, and a little terrified. "I never thought of anything like this." "Sorry, I made a mistake." "I just wanted to know if you were the clock here." "Is this the only one? There's one on the table in the lobby." "You know," Cedric scolded, "you shouldn't think everyone wants to marry you. You're a pretty girl, but not that good-looking. That sort of thing." There is a name, it will get worse, you will get worse. In fact, you are the last girl in the world I want to marry, the least likely girl I want to marry. " "Really?" said Lucy, "you don't have to nag, maybe you'd rather have me as your stepmother?" "What does that mean?" Cedric stared at her, stunned. "I told you," said Lucy, and went into her house and shut the door.