Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
""We’vebeenengagedforaboutamonth,"continuedFlorainhercoolvoice,"butitwasonlyannouncedyesterday.
UncleisgoingtodoupCross-stones,andgiveittoustolivein,andwe’regoingtopretendtofarm.Really,weshallhuntallthewinter,townfortheseason,andthengoyachting.Ilovethesea.And,ofcourse,Ishalltakeagreatinterestintheparishaffairs,andattendalltheMothers"Meetings."JustthenMrs.Ackroydrustledin,fullofapologiesforbeinglate.
IamsorrytosayIdetestMrs.Ackroyd.Sheisallchainsandteethandbones.Amostunpleasantwoman.Shehassmallpaleflintyblueeyes,andhowevergushingherwordsmaybe,thoseeyesothersalwaysremaincoldlyspeculative.
Iwentacrosstoher,leavingFlorabythewindow.Shegavemeahandfulofassortedknucklesandringstosqueeze,andbegantalkingvolubly.
HadIheardaboutFlora’sengagement?Sosuitableineveryway.Thedearyoungthingshadfalleninloveatfirstsight.Suchaperfectpair,hesodarkandshesofair.
"Ican’ttellyou,mydearDrSheppard,therelieftoamother’sheart."Mrs.Ackroydsighed–atributetohermother’sheart,whilsthereyesremainedshrewdlyobservantofme.
"Iwaswondering.YouaresuchanoldfriendofdearRoger’s.Weknowhowmuchhetruststoyourjudgment.
Sodifficultforme–inmypositionaspoorCecil’swidow.
