Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Thatisquiteright.""Andyouweresatisfiedwithherwhilstshewaswithyou?

           Howlongwasshewithyou,bytheway?""Oh!ayearortwo–Ican’trememberexactlyhowlong.

           She–sheisverycapable.I’msureyouwillfindherquitesatisfactory.Ididn’tknowshewasleavingFernly.Ihadn’ttheleastideaofit.""Canyoutellmeanythingabouther?"Iasked.

           "Anythingabouther?""Yes,whereshecomesfrom,whoherpeopleare–thatsortofthing?"Mrs.Folliott’sfaceworemorethaneveritsfrozenlook.

           "Idon’tknowatall.""Whowasshewithbeforeshecametoyou?""I’mafraidIdon’tremember."Therewasasparkofangernowunderlyinghernervousness.Sheflungupherheadinagesturethatwasvaguelyfamiliar.

           "Isitreallynecessarytoaskallthesequestions?""Notatall,"Isaid,withanairofsurpriseandatingeofapologyinmymanner."Ihadnoideayouwouldmindansweringthem.Iamverysorry."Herangerleftherandshebecameconfusedagain.

           "Oh!Idon’tmindansweringthem.IassureyouIdon’t.

           WhyshouldI?It–itjustseemedalittleodd,youknow.

           That’sall.Alittleodd."Oneadvantageofbeingamedicalpractitioneristhatyoucanusuallytellwhenpeoplearelyingtoyou.IshouldhaveknowfromMrs.Folliott’smanner,iffromnothingelse,thatshedidmindansweringmyquestions–mindedintensely.