"But, Maurice! Vicky and Hugh!" Ermyntrude said. His brow seemed to lighten. "Vicky and Hugh! No, really? Yes, of course I congratulate you both, most heartily!"
Hugh, who had stayed to dine at Palings, shook hands with him. "Thanks. But I think you've got some rather different news, haven't you?"
"You know, then?" Chester said.
"No. I've an inkling, though, since I encountered Inspector Hemingway this afternoon."
"They've arrested White," Chester said.
"Arrested White?" Mary gasped. "But why? On what conceivable grounds?"
"I don't know. Alan rang me up to come and attend to Janet, who was in hysterics. I came straight on here, to let you know."
"I knew it!" Ermyntrude said, fulfilling the Inspector's prophecy. "All along I said it was that White, though not one of you would listen to me! A woman's instinct is never wrong!"
"Oh, how awful for Janet and Alan!" Mary said. "Is there anything we can do?"
"Not at the moment. I've given Janet a sedative, and told Alan not to let her get agitated. I hope-'
Ermyntrude arose suddenly from the sofa. "Told Alan!" she said scornfully. "Yes, I see him keeping himself quiet, let alone anyone else! The idea of your leaving the poor girl with only Alan and that blowsy, good-fornothing maid of theirs! Well, I thought you'd have more sense, Maurice, I must say! Why didn't you bundle her into your car, and bring her straight up here, and that silly, feckless brother of hers as well, for heaven knows what he mayn't do, left to himself!"
"Bring them here?" repeated Chester, for once in his life startled.
"Where else are they to go?" demanded Ermyntrude. "It seems to me you men never think of anything! Why, there'll be reporters swarming all over the Dower House by tomorrow, if not before! Enough to drive Janet out of her mind, for she hasn't any sense at the best of times. Vicky, love, go and ring up Johnson, and tell him to bring the big car round at once, will you?"
"But, Ermyntrude, wait!" said Chester. "Are you quite sure you know what you're doing? The situation's rather difficult, isn't it? If White killed Wally..."
"Now, don't stand there talking far-fetched nonsense to me, Maurice!" said Ermyntrude. "I never yet found any difficulty in doing my duty as a Christian, and I hope I never shall! What's more, I'm a mother, and leave even a tiresome, chattering girl like Janet alone at such a time I tell you plainly I couldn't reconcile it with my conscience to do! Now, that's quite enough arguing! Mary, you'll see to the bedrooms, won't you, dearie?"
"Yes, Aunt Ermy," said Mary, meekly following her into the hall.
Ermyntrude sailed upstairs to put on a wrap for the journey to the Dower House, but Mary was overtaken, with her hand already on the baluster-rail, by Dr Chester. He put his hand over hers, and clasped it. "Mary, that engagement!"
She found herself unable to meet his eyes. "Yes, were you surprised? I was the only person who knew it was blowing up."
"Mary, look at me! I thought - I could have sworn—' he broke off, as though he did not know how to go on.
She did look up, but very fleetingly. "That it was going be me?"
"Yes," he said bluntly.
"Well, so did I, at one time. Not that I had any real reason to, and as a matter of fact it wouldn't have done at all. Hugh's a dear, but he's not my type, and I'm not his."
His clasp on her hand tightened. "Mary, is that the truth? I thought…And he's so much nearer you in age, that I made sure '
"Maurice," interrupted Mary, crimson-cheeked, "Wasn't it Aunt Ermy with you - ever?"
"Ermyntrude? Good God, no! Mary, this isn't the moment to ask you, but could you possibly - is there the slightest hope '
"Oh, Maurice, I think I must always have- Oh, look out, here she is!"
"And a nice hot-water bottle in Janet's bed, Mary dear-, don't forget!" said Ermyntrude, coming downstairs again. "I always say there's nothing like a hot-water bottle for real comfort when you're in trouble."
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