"No. There is usually trouble when my husband's nephew and niece visit Lexham. They do not try to please their uncle. The Herriards are like that."
"Quarrelsome, do you mean?"
"Yes. Mr. Herriard liked it."
"He liked having his relations quarrel with him?" asked the Inspector incredulously.
"I don't think he minded. He never seemed to like people who were civil to him. He was very rude himself, very. He didn't mean anything by it."
"Would you say that there had been serious trouble over this play which Miss Herriard wanted her uncle to spend money on?"
"Oh no!" Maud said calmly. "He didn't care about the play, that's all. I didn't either."
"Did he refuse to put up any money?"
"I expect so. I daresay he would have in the end, however. He was very fond of Paula. It was a stupid moment for her to have chosen, that's all."
"Why was it a stupid moment, madam?"