Hercule Poirot's Christmas / Рождество Эркюля Пуаро. Книга для чтения на английском языке

‘No legal claim, no,’ said Lydia. ‘But I think she has a moral claim. As I see it, your father, although his daughter had married a Spaniard against his wishes, recognized her to have an equal claim upon him. George, Harry, David, and Jennifer were to share equally. Jennifer only died last year. I am sure that when he sent for Mr Charlton, he meant to make ample provision for Pilar in a new will. He would have allotted her at least her mother’s share. It is possible that he might have done much more than that. She was the only grandchild, remember. I think the least we can do is to endeavour to remedy any injustice that your father himself was preparing to remedy.’

Alfred said warmly: ‘Well put, Lydia! I was wrong. I agree with you that Pilar must be given Jennifer’s share of my father’s fortune.’

Lydia said: ‘Your turn, Harry.’

Harry said: ‘As you know, I agree. I think Lydia has put the case very well, and I’d like to say I admire her for it.’

Lydia said: ‘George?’

George was red in the face. He spluttered: ‘Certainly not! Whole thing’s preposterous! Give her a home and a decent dress allowance. Quite enough for her!’

‘Then you refuse to co-operate?’ asked Alfred.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘And he’s quite right,’ said Magdalene. ‘It’s disgraceful to suggest he should do anything of the kind! Considering that George is the only member of the family who has done anything in the world[372], I think it’s a shame his father left him so little!’

Lydia said: ‘David?’

David said vaguely: ‘Oh, I think you’re right. It’s a pity there’s got to be so much ugliness and disputing about it all.’

Hilda said: ‘You’re quite right, Lydia. It’s only justice!’

Harry looked round. He said: ‘Well, that’s clear. Of the family, Alfred, myself and David are in favour of the motion. George is against it. The ayes have it.[373]’

George said sharply: ‘There is no question of ayes and noes. My share of my father’s estate is mine absolutely. I shall not part with a penny of it.’

‘No, indeed,’ said Magdalene.

Lydia said sharply: ‘If you like to stand out, that is your business. The rest of us will make up your share of the total.’

She looked round for assent and the others nodded.

Harry said: ‘Alfred’s got the lion’s share. He ought to stand most of the racket[374].’

Alfred said: ‘I see that your original disinterested suggestion will soon break down.’

Hilda said firmly: ‘Don’t let’s start again! Lydia shall tell Pilar what we’ve decided. We can settle details later.’ She added in the hope of making a diversion, ‘I wonder where Mr Farr is, and M. Poi-rot?’

Alfred said: ‘We dropped Poirot in the village on our way to the inquest. He said he had an important purchase to make.’

Harry said: ‘Why didn’t he go to the inquest? Surely he ought to have done!’

Lydia said: ‘Perhaps he knew it was not going to be important. Who’s that out there in the garden? Superintendent Sugden, or Mr Farr?’

The efforts of the two women were successful. The family conclave broke up.

Lydia said to Hilda privately: ‘Thank you, Hilda. It was nice of you to back me up.[375] You know, you really have been a comfort in all this.’

Hilda said thoughtfully: ‘Queer how money upsets people.’

The others had all left the room. The two women were alone.

Lydia said: ‘Yes – even Harry – although it was his suggestion! And my poor Alfred – he is so British – he doesn’t really like Lee money going to a Spanish subject[376].’

Hilda said, smiling: ‘Do you think we women are more unworldly?’

Lydia said with a shrug of her graceful shoulders: ‘Well, you know, it isn’t really our money – not our own! That may make a difference.’

Hilda said thoughtfully: ‘She is a strange child – Pilar, I mean. I wonder what will become of her?’

Lydia sighed. ‘I’m glad that she will be independent. To live here, to be given a home and a dress allowance, would not, I think, be very satisfactory to her. She’s too proud and, I think, too – too alien.’

She added musingly: ‘I once brought some beautiful blue lapis home from Egypt. Out there, against the sun and the sand, it was a glorious colour – a brilliant warm blue. But when I got it home, the blue of it hardly showed any more. It was just a dull, darkish string of beads.’

Hilda said: ‘Yes, I see…’

Lydia said gently: ‘I am so glad to come to know you and David at last. I’m glad you both came here.’

Hilda sighed: ‘How often I’ve wished in the last few days that we hadn’t!’

‘I know. You must have done… But you know, Hilda, the shock hasn’t affected David nearly as badly as it might have done. I mean, he is so sensitive that it might have upset him completely[377]. Actually, since the murder, he’s seemed ever so much better – ’

Hilda looked slightly disturbed. She said: ‘So you’ve noticed that? It’s rather dreadful in a way… But oh! Lydia, it’s undoubtedly so!’