Agatha Christie The Hollow Chapter I At 6:13 a.m. ... - bzelbublive.info

Angkatell, clasping Gerda's hand, murmured: "You must keep in touch with us,my dear. A little lunch, perhaps, one day in London? I expect you'll come up to doshopping occasionally?" "I—I don't know," said Gerda. Elsie Patterson said:"We must hurry, dear, our train," and Gerda turned away with an expression ofrelief. Midge said: "Poor Gerda. The only thing John's death has done forher is to set her free from your terrifying hospitality, Lucy." "How unkind youare. Midge. Nobody could say I didn't try." "You are much worse when you try,Lucy.""Well, it's very nice to think it's all over, isn't it?" said Lady Angkatell, beaming atthem. "Except, of course, for poor Inspector Grange. I do feel so sorry for him. Would itcheer him up, do you think, if we asked him back to lunch? As a friend, I mean." "Ishould let well alone, Lucy," said Sir Henry. "Perhaps you are right," said LadyAng- katell meditatively. "And anyway it isn't the right kind of lunch today.Partridges au Choux--and that delicious souffle surprise that Mrs. Medway makesso well. Not at all Inspector Grange's kind of lunch. A really good steak, a littleunderdone, and a good oldfashioned apple tart with no nonsense about it--orperhaps apple dumplings--that's whatI should order for Inspector Grange." "Your instincts about food are always verysound, Lucy. I think we had better get home to those partridges--they sounddelicious." "Well, I thought we ought to have some celebration! It's wonderful, isn't it,how everything always seems to turn out for the best?" "Yees--" "Iknow what you're thinking. Henry, but don't worry. I shall attend to it this afternoon.""What are you up to now, Lucy?" Lady Angkatell smiled at him. "It's quite allright, darling. Just tucking in a loose end." Sir Henry looked at her doubtfully.When they reached The Hollow, Gudgeon came out to open the door of the car."Everything went off very satisfactorily,Gudgeon," said Lady Angkatell. "Please tell Mrs. Medway and the others. I knowhow unpleasant it has been for you all, and I should like to tell you now how muchSir Henry and I have appreciated the loyalty you have all shown." "We havebeen deeply concerned for you, m'lady," said Gudgeon. "Very sweet of Gudgeon,"said Lucy as she went into the drawing-room, "but really quite wasted. I havereally almost enjoyed it all--so different, you know, from what one is accustomedto. Don't you feel, David, that an experience like this has broadened your mind? Itmust be so different from Cambridge." "I am at Oxford," said David coldly.Lady Angkatell said vaguely, "The dearboat race. So English, don't you think?" and went towards the telephone. Shepicked up the receiver and holding it in her hand she went on: "I do hope, David,that you will come and stay with us again. It's so difficult, isn't it, to get to know peoplewhen there is a murder? And quite impossible to have any really intellectualconversation." "Thank you," said David. "But when I come down I am going toAthens--to the British School." Lady Angkatell turned to her husband.