We entered the kitchen. There was a kettle on the gas-stove, on the table an empty glass, and beside it an overturned whisky bottle. It was empty, except for a few drops, and the table-cloth was stained and wet where whisky had been upset.
“That was the tap that was turned on,” said the doctor, pointing out the one leading to the ring under the kettle.
“Good thing you’d electric light down here,” the policeman remarked. “If she’d ’a’ had a gas light there’d ’a’ bin a fine old bust up.”
He wrote up his notes laboriously, took my name and Janet’s, and went to the open window where he paused, his hand on the sill, to say, “No need to bother about all these windows and doors bein’ open—the place can do with a bit more air—me an’ my mate will see as it’s all right. I hope you won’t be ’avin’ no more disturbances, sir. Good night.”
The policeman having departed to complete his night’s vigil, the doctor picked up the wet towels, whisky bottle and glass, and we went up-stairs to the hall. There we paused to look at one another.
“Well, Mrs. Kenley,” The Tundish said quietly, “what do you think of the household you have come to? Pretty lot, aren’t we? Seriously, though, I am very sorry that you have been let in for this; it was bad enough before.”
Janet smiled and shrugged her shoulders. “Oh, never mind me. I’m used to a stirring life.” She glanced at her wrist watch. “Not half-past three yet, there’s time for sleep still, and look, it’s getting light already.”
We went to the open door, another day was spreading fast, already the east was growing pale and putting out the last pale stars. A little breeze blew in ruffling our hair, and the birds were sleepily tuning the first shy notes of their morning song. Whatever this new-born day might have in store for us, the black hours of another night had passed, and for the moment, at least, it was good to enjoy the pregnant morning stillness with its promise of brighter things to come.
“Well,” said The Tundish at last, “we had better turn in and get what sleep we can. I’ll just scribble a note for Annie explaining matters, or else, poor girl, she will get a shock in the morning.”
He went back to the consulting-room, taking the towels and the bottle and glass along with him. For a few brief moments Janet and I were alone.