“Most unsuitable,” agreed Miss Matthews. “Not at all the sort of hat to wear at an Inquest. I was quite shocked.”
Stella got up from her floor-cushion, and moved away to the other end of the room. The two elder ladies continued their stimulating conversation, and by the time they had agreed that the sole reason why Mr Rumbold, who must really be extremely wealthy (because all wool-exporters were), should live in quite a moderate-sized house, like Holly Lodge, was that his wife was probably only accustomed to a Council house, perfect harmony reigned between them, to vanish abruptly, however, upon Mrs Matthews' ringing the bell to have the tea-things cleared away. This made it necessary for Miss Matthews immediately to pour herself out another cup, and as it was not only overpoweringly strong but also tepid, her temper became once more impaired, and the respective perfections and imperfections of Edward and Dolly Rumbold were forgotten in her own rankling grievances.
Guy, who seemed unable to occupy himself in any rational way, made another attempt to find out from Randall what line the police were following. Randall professed complete ignorance, and when Guy showed a disposition to pursue the subject, got up with a worldweary air, and quite firmly took his leave.
No one evinced any desire to accompany him to the front door, so he strolled out by himself, and had got into his car, and switched on the engine when he suddenly perceived Dr Fielding striding up the drive towards the house. Randall watched him, a singularly unpleasant expression in his eyes, and after a moment switched his engine off again. By the time the doctor came abreast the saturnine look had vanished, and the thin lips curled into the semblance of a smile. “Ah, how do you do, doctor?” Randall drawled, and drew off one washleather glove, and extended his hand.
Fielding did not look particularly pleased to see him, but he shook hands, and said that it was some time since they had met. “I missed you at the Inquest,” he remarked.
“That was hardly surprising,” said Randall. “I wasn't there.”
“Oh, weren't you?” said Fielding.
“No,” said Randall. “I thought it would be dull, and probably vulgar. But I'm sorry I didn't hear your evidence,” he added politely. “I understand you provided the star-turn of an otherwise mediocre performance.”
“Indeed!” The doctor looked at him somewhat warily. “In what way, I wonder?”
“In your demeanour, my dear doctor, which I understand to have been little short of noble. And in your testimony, of course, which I'm sure was masterly.”