The Sittaford Mystery - Agatha Christie [89]
‘What did I say?’ she demanded. ‘I told you Burnaby was a jealous man. Friends indeed! For more than twenty years Trevelyan has done everything a bit better than Burnaby. He skied better, and he climbed better, and he shot better, and he did crossword puzzles better. Burnaby wasn’t a big enough man to stand it. Trevelyan was rich and he was poor.
‘It’s been going on a long time. I can tell you it’s a difficult thing to go on really liking a man who can do everything just a little bit better than you can. Burnaby was a narrow-minded, small-natured man. He let it get on his nerves.’
‘I expect you’re right,’ said Emily. ‘Well, I had to come and tell you. It seemed so unfair you should be out of everything. By the way, did you know that your nephew knew my Aunt Jennifer? They were having tea together at Deller’s on Wednesday.’
‘She’s his godmother,’ said Miss Percehouse. ‘So that’s the “fellow” he wanted to see in Exeter. Borrowing money, if I know Ronnie. I’ll speak to him.’
‘I forbid you to bite anyone on a joyful day like this,’ said Emily. ‘Good-bye. I must fly. I’ve got a lot to do.’
‘What have you got to do, young woman? I should say you’d done your bit.’
‘Not quite. I must go up to London and see Jim’s Insurance Company people and persuade them not to prosecute him over that little matter of the borrowed money.’
‘H’m,’ said Miss Percehouse.
‘It’s all right,’ said Emily. ‘Jim will keep straight enough in future. He’s had his lesson.’
‘Perhaps. And you think you’ll be able to persuade them?’
‘Yes,’ said Emily firmly.
‘Well,’ said Miss Percehouse. ‘Perhaps you will. And after that?’
‘After that,’ said Emily. ‘I’ve finished. I’ll have done all I can for Jim.’
‘Then suppose we say—what next?’ said Miss Percehouse.
‘You mean?’
‘What next? Or if you want it put clearer: Which of them?’
‘Oh!’ said Emily.
‘Exactly. That’s what I want to know. Which of them is to be the unfortunate man?’
Emily laughed. Bending over she kissed the old lady.
‘Don’t pretend to be an idiot,’ she said. ‘You know perfectly well which it is.’
Miss Percehouse chuckled.
Emily ran lightly out of the house and down to the gate just as Charles came racing up the lane.
He caught her by both hands.
‘Emily darling!’
‘Charles! Isn’t everything marvellous?’
‘I shall kiss you,’ said Mr Enderby, and did.
‘I’m a made man, Emily,’ he said. ‘Now, look here, darling, what about it?’
‘What about what?’
‘Well—I mean—well, of course, it wouldn’t have been playing the game with poor old Pearson in prison and all the rest of it. But he’s cleared now and—well, he has got to take his medicine just like anybody else.’
‘What are you talking about?’ said Emily.
‘You know well enough I am crazy about you,’ said Mr Enderby, ‘and you like me. Pearson was just a mistake. What I mean is—well—you and I, we are made for each other. All this time, we have known it, both of us, haven’t we? Do you like a Registry Office or a Church, or what?’
‘If you are referring to marriage,’ said Emily, ‘there’s nothing doing.’
‘What—but I say—’
‘No,’ said Emily.
‘But—Emily—’
‘If you will have it,’ said Emily. ‘I love Jim. Passionately!’
Charles stared at her in speechless bewilderment.
‘You can’t!’
‘I can! And I do! And I always have! And I always shall!’
‘You—you made me think—’
‘I said,’ said Emily demurely, ‘that it was wonderful to have someone one could rely on.’
‘Yes, but I thought—’
‘I can’t help what you thought.’
‘You are an unscrupulous devil, Emily.’
‘I know, Charles darling. I know. I’m everything you like to call me. But never mind. Think how great you are going to be. You’ve got your scoop! Exclusive news for the Daily Wire. You’re a made man. What’s a woman anyway? Less than the dust. No really strong man wants a woman. She only hampers him by clinging to him like the ivy. Every great man is one who is independent of women. A career—there’s nothing so fine, so absolutely satisfying to a man, as a great career. You are a strong man, Charles, one who can stand alone—’
‘Will