"Not in the least, darling. But no friends of her own, you see. So awkward. And quite a nice girl, I feel sure. She reminds me of someone, though I don't know whom."
"I have yet to meet anyone who did not remind you of someone, Marion," said Sir Humphrey. "I shall go to bed, and I trust you told her not to allow that dog to get on the furniture."
In the morning he had recovered his urbanity and had thawed enough to invite Shirley to remain at Greythorne until after the inquest, when he supposed she would be returning to London. He even said that the bull-terrier seemed to be a very well-behaved dpg and bestowed a piece of kidney on him, which Bill accepted without hesitation.
Shirley refused the invitation. There were dark shadows under her eyes telling of a sleepless night, and she was very quiet. Lady Matthews did not urge her to stay and prevented Sir Humphrey from pressing the matter. "So much better to let people do what they want to," she said. "Somebody shall ring up and engage a room for you at the Boar's Head, my dear."
They had only just left the breakfast table when Jerkins came in to say that Mr. Fountain was in the library and would like to speak to Mr. Amberley.
This intelligence slightly impaired Sir Humphrey's good humour. He spoke severely of persons who called at uncouth hours and suddenly remembered a dire thing that was to happen today. There was going to be a dinner party. "And considering that both the Fountains and that foolish young man who is staying with them are coming here tonight, I fail entirely to see why a call at ten in the morning can be necessary," he said.
His disillusioned gaze dwelt accusingly on his nephew. Frank said with a grin: "I know, Uncle, I know. All my fault. Even the dinner party."
Without giving his uncle time to retort he went off to receive Fountain.
Fountain was standing by the window in the library, looking out. He turned as Amberley came in and walked towards him, holding out his hand. There was an expression of deep concern on his face. He said without any preamble: "I came round to see you about this tragic business of last night. I only heard when I got back from town."
"Yes?" said Amberley. "You mean Mark Brown falling into the river? Apparently half the village expected something of the sort to happen."