“Well, I can find that out by asking the servants,” Hannasyde said cheerfully. “You did not think to ask your doctor to call and see Miss Matthews?”
“Oh no!” Mrs Matthews said. “My sister-in-law did not want a doctor to be called in, and really I could not see that it was at all necessary.”
“Did your sister-in-law say that she didn't want a doctor?”
“I don't know that she actually said those words, but she was not a person who ever consulted doctors very willingly. I am very sorry that she didn't, for if only she had been under some good man I feel that whatever it was that was wrong with her might have been treated, and she would have been with us now. Undoubtedly there must have been some trouble which we none of us knew about —”
“Then when you put your sister-in-law to bed you saw no cause for alarm?”
“Absolutely none!” replied Mrs Matthews earnestly.
“And later, when she grew worse, did you still feel no anxiety?”
“But you see I had no idea!” Mrs Matthews said. “I did not go into her room again until about twelve o'clock —”
Hannasyde interrupted: “One moment, Mrs Matthews. You say you did not go to her again until about twelve. When was it that you left Miss Matthews?”
Mrs Matthews smoothed the pleats of her frock rather nervously. “I really don't think I can tell you. I didn't look at the time. After all, why should I?”