Chapter 8 Reminiscences about an Uncle

The following morning Tuppence was interrupted in her remarks to anelectrician who had come to adjust portions of his work which were notconsidered satisfactory.
‘Boy at the door,’ said Albert. ‘Wants to speak to you, madam.’
‘Oh. What’s his name?’
‘Didn’t ask him, he’s waiting there outside.’
Tuppence seized her garden hat, shoved it on her head and came downthe stairs.
Outside the door a boy of about twelve or thirteen was standing¹. He wasrather nervous, shuffling² his feet.
‘Hope it’s all right to come along,’ he said.
‘Let me see,’ said Tuppence, ‘you’re Henry Bodlicott, aren’t you?’
‘That’s right. That was my–oh, I suppose he was by way of being anuncle, the one I mean whose inquest was on yesterday. Never been to aninquest before, I haven’t.’
Tuppence stopped herself on the brink³ of saying ‘Did you enjoy it?’
Henry had the look of someone who was about to describe a treat.
‘It was quite a tragedy, wasn’t it?’ said Tuppence. ‘Very sad.’
‘Oh well, he was an old one,’ said Henry. ‘Couldn’t have expected to lastmuch longer I don’t think, you know. Used to cough something terrible inthe autumn. Kept us all awake in the house. I just come along to ask ifthere’s anything as you want done here. I understood–as a matter of factMom told me–as you had some lettuces⁴ ought to be thinned out now and Iwonder if you’d like me to do it for you. I know just where they are be-cause I used to come up sometimes and talk to old Izzy when he was atwork. I could do it now if you liked.’
‘Oh, that’s very nice of you,’ said Tuppence. ‘Come out and show me.’
They moved into the garden together and went up to the spot desig-nated.
‘That’s it, you see. They’ve been shoved in a bit tight and you’ve got tothin ’em out a bit and put ’em over there instead, you see, when you’vemade proper gaps.’
‘I don’t really know anything about lettuces,’ Tuppence admitted. ‘Iknow a little about flowers. Peas, Brussels

分享到：