"Wipe it? No, no, it is perfectly all right!" said Sir Humphrey testily. "Well, goodbye, Fountain. Come along, Felicity, or we shall be late."
As Felicity started the car she said: "Did you notice that man? The valet, I mean."
"Notice him, my dear? I naturally saw him. Why should I notice him particularly?"
"I thought he gave you — such an ugly look."
You imagine things, my dear," said Sir Humphrey. "Why should he give me an ugly look?"
"I don't know. But he did."
She drove the car into Upper Nettlefold, being commissioned by Lady Matthews to call at the Boar's Head to find out if Shirley Brown was comfortable there and to offer to accompany her to the inquest next morning. The porter thought Miss Brown was in her room, and went up to find her while Felicity and Sir Humphrey waited in the lounge.
Shirley came downstairs in a few minutes; she seemed pleased to see Felicity, but rather shy. She wore a black armband over her tweed coat, but no other sign of mourning, and although she looked worried she had certainly not been crying. She said that she was quite comfortable at the Boar's Head and declined Lady Matthews' offer of escort to the inquest. It was very kind of Lady Matthews but quite unnecessary; she would not like to drag her to anything so unpleasant.
"My wife," said Sir Humphrey, eyeing her askance, "thought that perhaps you would be glad of - ah support - under such painful circumstances."
Shirley gave him back one of her surprising clear looks. "I shan't break down," she said. "It has been a shock to me, and I'm upset. But I don't want to pose as being heartbroken. You see, I'm not. I'm sorry if this shocks you."