Убийство Роджера Экройда
Dinner at Fernly
Buttherearesomanytiresomethings–settlements,youknow–allthat.IfullybelievethatRogerintendstomakesettlementsupondearFlora,but,asyouknow,heisjustaleetlepeculiaraboutmoney.Veryusual,I’veheard,amongstmenwhoarecaptainsofindustry.Iwondered,youknow,ifyoucouldjustsoundhimonthesubject?
Floraissofondofyou.Wefeelyouarequiteanoldfriend,althoughwehaveonlyreallyknownyoujustovertwoyears."Mrs.Ackroyd’seloquencewascutshortasthedrawing-roomdooropenedoncemore.Iwaspleasedattheinterruption.Ihateinterferinginotherpeople’saffairs,andIhadnottheleastintentionoftacklingAckroydonthesubjectofFlora’ssettlements.InanothermomentIshouldhavebeenforcedtotellMrs.Ackroydasmuch.
"YouknowMajorBlunt,don’tyou,doctor?""Yes,indeed,"Isaid.
AlotofpeopleknowHectorBlunt–atleastbyrepute.
Hehasshotmorewildanimalsinunlikelyplacesthananymanliving,Isuppose.Whenyoumentionhim,peoplesay:"Blunt–youdon’tmeanthebiggameman,doyou?"HisfriendshipwithAckroydhasalwayspuzzledmealittle.Thetwomenaresototallydissimilar.HectorBluntisperhapsfiveyearsAckroyd’sjunior.Theymadefriendsearlyinlife,andthoughtheirwayshavediverged,thefriendshipstillholds.
