Читать книгу Overture to Death - Ngaio Marsh, Stella Duffy - Страница 18

Dinah, left alone with them, knew that the battle of the music was postponed in order that the two ladies might unite in the abuse of Mrs Ross. That it was postponed and not abandoned was evident in their manner, which reminded Dinah of stewed fruit on the turn. Its sweetness was impregnated by acidity.

‘Of course, Eleanor,’ said Miss Campanula, ‘I can’t for the life of me see why you didn’t show her the door. I should have refused to receive her. I should!’

‘I was simply dumbfounded,’ said Miss Prentice. ‘When Taylor announced them, I really couldn’t believe my senses. I am deeply disappointed in Dr Templett.’

‘Disappointed! The greatest piece of brazen effrontery I have ever encountered. He shan’t have my lumbago! I can promise him that.’

‘I really should have thought he’d have known better,’ continued Miss Prentice. ‘It isn’t as if we don’t know who he is. He should be a gentleman. I always thought he took up medicine as a vocation. After all, there have been Templetts at Chippingwood for –’

‘For as long as there have been Jernighams at Pen Cuckoo,’ said Miss Campanula. ‘But of course, you wouldn’t know that.’

This was an oblique hit. It reminded Miss Prentice that she was a new-comer and not, strictly speaking, a Jernigham of Pen Cuckoo. Miss Campanula followed it up by saying, ‘I suppose in your position you could do nothing but receive her; but I must say I was astonished that you leapt at her play as you did.’

‘I did not leap, Idris,’ said Miss Prentice. ‘I hope I took the dignified course. It was obvious that everybody but you and me was in favour of her play.’

‘Well, it’s a jolly good play,’ said Dinah.

‘So we have been told,’ said Miss Campanula. ‘Repeatedly.’

‘I was helpless,’ continued Miss Prentice. ‘What could I do? One can do nothing against sheer common persistence. Of course she has triumphed.’

‘She’s gone off now, taking every man in the room with her,’ said Miss Campanula. ‘Ha!’

‘Ah, well,’ added Miss Prentice, ‘I suppose it’s always the case when one deals with people who are not quite. Did you hear what she said about our not calling?’

‘I was within an ace of telling her that I understood she received men only.’

‘But, Miss Campanula,’ said Dinah, ‘we don’t know there’s anything more than friendship between them, do we? And even if there is, it’s their business.’

‘Dinah, dear!’ said Miss Prentice.

‘As a priest’s daughter, Dinah –’ began Miss Campanula.

‘As a priest’s daughter,’ said Dinah, ‘I’ve got a sort of idea charity is supposed to be a virtue. And, anyway, I think when you talk about a person’s family it’s better not to call him a priest. It sounds so scandalous, somehow.’

There was dead silence. At last Miss Campanula rose to her feet.

‘I fancy my car is waiting for me, Eleanor,’ she said. ‘So I shall make my adieux. I am afraid we are neither of us intelligent enough to appreciate modern humour. Good-night.’

‘Aren’t we driving you home?’ asked Dinah.

‘Thank you, Dinah, no. I ordered my car for six, and it is already half-past. Good-night.’