Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Peoplearenotresponsiblefortheiractionsintheleast.

           Theylosecontrol,youknow,withoutbeingabletohelpit.""Mother,"criedFlora,"youdon’tthinkRalphdidit?""Come,Mrs.Ackroyd,"saidBlunt.

           "Idon’tknowwhattothink,"saidMrs.Ackroydtearfully.

           "It’sallveryupsetting.Whatwouldhappentotheestate,Iwonder,ifRalphwerefoundguilty?"Raymondpushedhischairawayfromthetableviolently.

           MajorBluntremainedveryquiet,lookingthoughtfullyather.

           "Likeshell-shock,youknow,"saidMrs.Ackroydobstinately,"andIdaresayRogerkepthimveryshortofmoney–withthebestintentions,ofcourse.Icanseeyouareallagainstme,butIdothinkitisveryoddthatRalphhasnotcomeforward,andImustsayIamthankfulFlora’sengagementwasneverannouncedformally.""Itwillbetomorrow,"saidFlorainaclearvoice.

           "Flora!"criedhermother,aghast.

           Florahadturnedtothesecretary.

           "WillyousendanannouncementtotheMorningPost.AndTheTimes,please,Mr.Raymond.""Ifyouaresurethatitiswise.MissAckroyd,"herepliedgravely.

           SheturnedimpulsivelytoBlunt.

           "Youunderstand,"shesaid."WhatelsecanIdo?Asthingsare,ImuststandbyRalph.Don’tyouseethatImust?"Shelookedverysearchinglyathim,andafteralongpausehenoddedabruptly.

           Mrs.Ackroydburstoutintoshrillprotests.