Mr. Parker Pyne was stung to respond,
96
Agatha Christie
"My dear lady, I can assure you that when it
comes to a question of a beautiful young woman,
I should have no influence over your son what-ever.
He--er--seems to be of a very ?uscePtible
nature."
"He never used to be," said Mrs. Chester tear-fully.
"Well," said Mr. Parker Pyne with an attempt
at cheerfulness, "this new attraction seems to have
broken the back of his infatuation for Miss Gregg.
That must be some satisfaction to you."
"I don't know what you mean," said Mrs.
Chester. "Betty is a dear child and devoted to
Basil. She is behaving extremely well over this. I
think my boy must be mad."
Mr. Parker Pyne received this startling change
of face without wincing. He had met inconsistency
in women before. He said mildly:
"Not exactly mad--j ust bewitched."
"The creature's a Dago. She's impossible."
"But extremely good-looking."
Mrs. Chester snorted.
Basil ran up the steps from the sea front.
"Hullo, Mater, here I am. Where's Betty?"
"Betty's gone home with a headache. I don't
wonder. ' '
> "Sulking, you mean."
"I consider, Basil, that you are being extremely