Убийство Роджера Экройда
The Paragraph in the Paper
"AndIhadplentyoftimetomyself."AndthencamehermeetingwithRalphPaton,andtheloveaffairwhichculminatedinasecretmarriage.Ralphhadpersuadedherintothat,somewhatagainstherwill.Hehaddeclaredthathisstepfatherwouldnothearofhismarryingapennilessgirl.Bettertobemarriedsecretly,andbreakthenewstohimatsomelaterandmorefavourableminute.
Andsothedeedwasdone,andUrsulaBournebecameUrsulaPaton.Ralphhaddeclaredthathemeanttopayoffhisdebts,findajob,andthen,whenhewasinapositiontosupporther,andindependentofhisadoptedfather,theywouldbreakthenewstohim.
ButtopeoplelikeRalphPaton,turningoveranewleafiseasierintheorythaninpractice.Hehopedthathisstepfather,whilststillinignoranceofthemarriage,mightbepersuadedtopayhisdebtsandputhimonhisfeetagain.
ButtherevelationoftheamountofRalph’sliabilitiesmerelyenragedRogerAckroyd,andherefusedtodoanythingatall.Somemonthspassed,andthenRalphwasbiddenoncemoretoFernly.RogerAckroyddidnotbeataboutthebush.ItwasthedesireofhisheartthatRalphshouldmarryFlora,andheputthematterplainlybeforetheyoungman.
AndhereitwasthattheinnateweaknessofRalphPatonshoweditself.Asalways,hegraspedattheeasy,theimmediatesolution.AsfarasIcouldmakeout,neitherFloranorRalphmadeanypretenceoflove.Itwas,onbothsides,abusinessarrangement.
