Four
M ISS M ARPLE S EEKS M EDICAL A TTENTION
D r. Graham was a kindly¹ elderly man of about sixty-five. He had practised in the West Indies for many years, but wasnow semi-retired, and left most of his work to his West Indian partners. He greeted Miss Marple pleasantly and askedher what the trouble was. Fortunately at Miss Marple’s age, there was always some ailment² that could be discussedwith slight exaggerations on the patient’s part. Miss Marple hesitated between “her shoulder” and “her knee,” butfinally decided³ upon the knee. Miss Marple’s knee, as she would have put it to herself, was always with her.
Dr. Graham was exceedingly kindly but he refrained from putting into words the fact that at her time of life suchtroubles were only to be expected. He prescribed for her one of the brands of useful little pills that form the basis of adoctor’s prescriptions⁴. Since he knew by experience that many elderly people could be lonely when they first came toSt. Honoré, he remained for a while gently chatting.
“A very nice man,” thought Miss Marple to herself, “and I really feel rather ashamed of having to tell him lies. ButI don’t quite see what else I can do.”
Miss Marple had been brought up to have a proper regard for truth and was indeed by nature a very truthful⁵ person.
But on certain occasions, when she considered it her duty so to do, she could tell lies with a really astonishingverisimilitude.
She cleared her throat, uttered an apologetic little cough, and said, in an old ladyish and slightly twittering manner:
“There is something, Dr. Graham, I would like to ask you. I don’t really like mentioning it—but I don’t quite seewhat else I am to do—although of course it’s quite unimportant really. But you see, it’s important to me. And I hopeyou will understand and not think what I am asking is tiresome⁶ or—or unpardonable in any way.”
To this opening Dr. Graham replied kindly: “Something is worrying you? Do let me help.”

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