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

Chapter VIIIafter tea John said to Henrietta, "Come for a walk," and Lady Angkatell said thatshe must show Gerda the rock garden though of course it was quite the wrong time ofyear. Walking with John, thought Henrietta, was as unlike walking with Edward asanything could be. With Edward one seldom did more than potter. Edward,she thought, was a born potterer.Walking with John, it was all she could do to keep up, and by the time they got upto Shovel Down she said breathlessly, "It's not a Marathon, John!" He slowed downand laughed. "Am I walking you off your feet?" "I can do it--but is there anyneed? We haven't got a train to catch. Why do you have this ferocious energy? Areyou running away from yourself?" He stopped dead. "Why do you say that?"Henrietta looked at him curiously. "I didn't mean anything particular by it." Johnwent on again, but walking more slowly. "As a matter of fact," he said, "I'm tired.I'm very tired." She heard the lassitude in his voice. "How's the Crabtree?""It's early days to say, but I think, Henrietta,that I've got the hang of things. If I'm right"--his footsteps began to quicken--"a lot of our ideas will be revolutionised --we'll have to reconsider the whole questionof hormone secretion--" "You mean that there will be a cure for Ridgeway'sDisease? That people won't die?" "That, incidentally." What odd peopledoctors were, thought Henrietta. Incidentally! "Scientifically, it opens up all sorts ofpossibilities!" He drew a deep breath. "But it's good to get down here--goodto get some air into your lungs--good to see you." He gave her one of his suddenquick smiles, "And it willdo Gerda good." "Gerda, of course, simply loves coming to The Hollow!""Of course she does. By the way, have I met Edward Angkatell before?" "You've met himtwice," said Henrietta dryly. "I couldn't remember. He's one of those vague,indefinite people." "Edward's a dear. I've always been very fond of him.""Well, don't let's waste time on Edward! None of these people count." Henriettasaid in a low voice: "Sometimes, John--I'm afraid for you!" "Afraid for me--whatdo you mean?" He turned an astonished face upon her. "You are sooblivious--so--yes, blind." "Blind?" "You don't know--you don't see--you'recuriously insensitive! You don't know what other people are feeling and thinking.""I should have said just the opposite." "You see what you're looking at, yes.You're--you're like a search-light. A powerful beam turned onto the one spot whereyour interest is, and behind it and each side of it, darkness!" "Henrietta, my dear, whatis all this?" "It's dangerous, John. You assume that everyone likes you, that they meanwell to you. People like Lucy, for instance." "Doesn't Lucy like me?" he said,surprised. "I've always been extremely fond of her." "And so you assumethat she likes you. But I'm not sure . . . And Gerda and Edward--or and Midge and