“That will do, Henry. Talking will not mend matters,” said his wife. She bent her hard stare on the doctor. “Do I understand that you are prepared to sign a death certificate?”
He looked frowningly back at her, a hint of uneasiness in his eyes. “As a medical man—”
“Medical fiddlesticks!” said Mrs Lupton. “I insist upon another's opinion being called in!”
A startled silence fell. It was broken by Mrs Matthews. Her voice jarred a little, though she still spoke in her dulcet way. “Dear Gertrude, you are upset, and no wonder. I am sure you don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings.”
“I am unconcerned with anyone's sensibilities,” said Mrs Lupton. “I repeat, I insist upon a second opinion.”
“Perhaps,” said Dr Fielding, looking her in the eye, “you would like me to notify the Coroner of your brother's death?”
“Yes,” said Mrs Lupton. “That is precisely what I should like, Dr Fielding!”
Chapter Two
No one spoke for a minute. The implication of Mrs Lupton's words could not be misunderstood, but it took time for her meaning to be fully realised. Everyone stared at her a little blankly, except the doctor, who stood looking down, still frowning, at the table's polished surface.
Harriet was the first to break into agitated speech. “You may just as well say at once that you think I poisoned him, and I'm astonished that you don't! And as for housekeeping, you may think you are much better at it than I am, but all I can say is I should be ashamed of the waste that goes on in your house! And if you think I gave Gregory duck on purpose to kill him there are the cutlets to prove I didn't!”