The Man Who Grew Vegetable Marrows

           ItoldCarolineatlunchthatIshouldbediningatFernly.Sheexpressednoobjection–onthecontrary.

           "Excellent,"shesaid."You’llhearallaboutit.Bytheway,whatisthetroublewithRalph?""WithRalph?"Isaid,surprised;"thereisn’tany.""ThenwhyishestayingattheThreeBoarsinsteadofatFernlyPark?"IdidnotforaminutequestionCaroline’sstatementthatRalphPatonwasstayingatthelocalinn.ThatCarolinesaidsowasenoughforme.

           "AckroydtoldmehewasinLondon,"Isaid.InthesurpriseofthemomentIdepartedfrommyvaluableruleofneverpartingwithinformation.

           "Oh!"saidCaroline.Icouldseehernosetwitchingassheworkedonthis.

           "HearrivedattheThreeBoarsyesterdaymorning,"shesaid."Andhe’sstillthere.Lastnighthewasoutwithagirl."Thatdidnotsurprisemeintheleast.Ralph,Ishouldsay,isoutwithagirlmostnightsofhislife.ButIdidratherwonderthathechosetoindulgeinthepastimeinKing’sAbbotinsteadofinthegayMetropolis.

           "Oneofthebarmaids?"Iasked.

           "No.That’sjustit.Hewentouttomeether.Idon’tknow…whosheis."(BitterforCarolinetohavetoadmitsuchathing.)"ButIcanguess,"continuedmyindefatigablesister.

           Iwaitedpatiently.

           "Hiscousin.""FloraAckroyd?"Iexclaimedinsurprise.