Overture to Death by Ngaio Marsh

Mrs. Ross. She still looked roguishly expectant and he thought, “Anyway, if Henry’s noticed
her
, he’ll know I’m doing pretty well.” And then Dr. Templett managed to escape Miss Campanula and joined them.
    “Well, Selia,” he said, “if you’re ready I think I’d better take you home.”
    “Doesn’t like me talking to her!” thought the squire in triumph. “The little man’s jealous.”
    When Mrs. Ross silently gave him her hand, he deliberately squeezed it.
    “
Au revoir
,” he said. “This is your first visit to Pen Cuckoo, isn’t it? Don’t let it be the last.”
    “I shouldn’t be here at all,” she answered. “There have been no official calls, you know.”
    Jocelyn made a slightly silly gesture and bowed.
    “We’ll waive all that sort of nonsense,” he said. “Ha, ha, ha!”
    Mrs. Ross turned to say good-bye to Eleanor Prentice.
    “I have just told your cousin,” she said, “that I’ve no business here. We haven’t exchanged calls, have we?”
    If Miss Prentice was at all taken aback, she did not show it. She gave her musical laugh and said, “I’m afraid I am very remiss about these things.”
    “Miss Campanula hasn’t called on me either,” said Mrs. Ross. “You must come together. Good-bye.”
    “Good-bye, everybody,” said Mrs. Ross.
    “I’ll see you to your car,” said the squire. “Henry!”
    Henry hastened to the door. Jocelyn escorted Mrs. Ross out of the room and, as Dr. Templett followed them, the rector shouted after them:
    “Just a minute, Templett. About the youngest Cain.”
    “Oh, yes. Silly little fool! Look here, rector — ”
    “I’ll come out with you,” said the rector.
    Henry followed and shut the door behind them.
    “Well!” said Miss Campanula. “Well!”
    “
Isn’t it
?” said Miss Prentice. “
Isn’t it
?”
     
    iii
    Dinah, left alone with them, knew that the battle of the music was postponed in order that the two ladies might unite in abuse of Mrs. Ross. That it was postponed and not abandoned was evident in their manner, which reminded Dinah of stewed fruit on the turn. Its sweetness was impregnated by acidity.
    “Of course, Eleanor,” said Miss Campanula, “I can’t for the life of me see why you didn’t show her the door. I should have refused to receive her. I should!”
    “I was simply dumbfounded,” said Miss Prentice. “When Taylor announced them, I really couldn’t believe my senses. I am deeply disappointed in Dr. Templett.”
    “Disappointed! The greatest piece of brazen effrontery I have ever encountered. He shan’t have my lumbago! I can promise him that.”
    “I really should have thought he’d have known better,” continued Miss Prentice. “It isn’t as if we don’t know who he is. He should be a gentleman. I always thought he took up medicine as a
vocation
. After all, there have been Templetts at Chippingwood for—”
    “For as long as there have been Jernighams at Pen Cuckoo,” said Miss Campanula. “But, of course, you wouldn’t know that.”
    This was an oblique hit. It reminded Miss Prentice that she was a new-comer and not, strictly speaking, a Jernigham of Pen Cuckoo. Miss Campanula followed it up by saying, “I suppose in your position you could do nothing but receive her; but I must say I was astonished that you leapt at her play as you did.”
    “I did not leap, Idris,” said Miss Prentice. “I hope I took the dignified course. It was obvious that everybody but you and me was in favour of her play.”
    “Well, it’s a jolly good play,” said Dinah.
    “So we have been told,” said Miss Campanula. “Repeatedly.”
    “I was helpless,” continued Miss Prentice. “What could I do? One can do nothing against sheer common persistence. Of course she has triumphed.”
    “She’s gone off now, taking every man in the room with her,” said Miss Campanula. “Ha!”
    “Ah, well,” added Miss Prentice, “I suppose it’s always the case when one deals with people who are
not