Причуда мертвеца / Dead Man's Folly. Книга для чтения на английском языке

�When it doesn’t rain,’ she added mournfully. �But there aren’t any nightclubs.’

�Ah, I see. You like nightclubs?’

�Oh, yes,’ said Lady Stubbs fervently.

�And why do you like nightclubs so much?’

�There is music and you dance. And I wear my nicest clothes and bracelets and rings. And all the other women have nice clothes and jewels, but not as nice as mine.’

She smiled with enormous satisfaction. Poirot felt a slight pang of pity[39 - pang of pity – угрызения совести].

�And all that amuses you very much?’

�Yes. I like the casino, too. Why are there not any casinos in England?’

�I have often wondered,’ said Poirot, with a sigh. �I do not think it would accord with the English character.’

She looked at him uncomprehendingly. Then she bent slightly towards him.

�I won sixty thousand francs at Monte Carlo once. I put it on number twenty-seven and it came up.’

�That must have been very exciting, Madame.

�Oh, it was. George gives me money to play with—but usually I lose it.’

She looked disconsolate.

�That is sad.’

�Oh, it does not really matter. George is very rich. It is nice to be rich, don’t you think so?’

�Very nice,’ said Poirot gently.

�Perhaps, if I was not rich, I should look like Amanda.’ Her gaze went to Miss Brewis at the tea table and studied her dispassionately. �She is very ugly, don’t you think?’

Miss Brewis looked up at that moment and across to where they were sitting.

As he withdrew his gaze, his eyes met those of Captain Warburton. The Captain’s glance was ironic and amused.

Poirot endeavoured to change the subject.

�Have you been very busy preparing for the fête?’ he asked.

Hattie Stubbs shook her head.

�Oh, no, I think it is all very boring—very stupid.

�Oh, my dear.’ It was Mrs Folliat who spoke. She had come to sit on the sofa nearby. �Those are the ideas you were brought up with on your island estates. But life isn’t like that in England these days. I wish it were.’ She sighed. �Nowadays one has to do nearly everything oneself.’

Lady Stubbs shrugged her shoulders.

�I think it is stupid.