Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie Page A

from Mary Gerrard to Nurse Hopkins, July 25th:
    Dear Nurse Hopkins,—Thank you so much for writing to me about Father. I’m glad he didn’t suffer. Miss Elinor writes me that the house is sold and that she would like the Lodge cleared out as soon as possible. Could you put me up if I came down tomorrow for the funeral? Don’t bother to answer if that’s all right.
    Yours affectionately,
Mary Gerrard

Seven
    E linor Carlisle came out of the King’s Arms on the morning of Thursday, July 27th, and stood for a minute or two looking up and down the main street of Maidensford.
    Suddenly, with an exclamation of pleasure, she crossed the road.
    There was no mistaking that large dignified presence, that serene gait as of a galleon in full sail.
    â€œMrs. Bishop!”
    â€œWhy, Miss Elinor! This is a surprise! I’d no notion you were in these parts! If I’d known you were coming to Hunterbury I’d have been there myself! Who’s doing for you there? Have you brought someone down from London?”
    Elinor shook her head.
    â€œI’m not staying at the house. I am staying at the King’s Arms.”
    Mrs. Bishop looked across the road and sniffed dubiously.
    â€œIt is possible to stay there, I’ve heard,” she allowed. “It’s clean, Iknow. And the cooking, they say, is fair, but it’s hardly what you’re accustomed to, Miss Elinor.”
    Elinor said, smiling:
    â€œI’m really quite comfortable. It’s only for a day or two. I have to sort out things at the house. All my aunt’s personal things; and then there are a few pieces of furniture I should like to have in London.”
    â€œThe house is really sold, then?”
    â€œYes. To a Major Somervell. Our new Member. Sir George Kerr died, you know, and there’s been a bye-election.”
    â€œReturned unopposed,” said Mrs. Bishop grandly. “We’ve never had anyone but a Conservative for Maidenford.”
    Elinor said:
    â€œI’m glad someone has bought the house who really wants to live in it. I should have been sorry if it had been turned into a hotel or built upon.”
    Mrs. Bishop shut her eyes and shivered all over her plump aristocratic person.
    â€œYes, indeed, that would have been dreadful—quite dreadful. It’s bad enough as it is to think of Hunterbury passing into the hands of strangers.”
    Elinor said:
    â€œYes, but, you see, it would have been a very large house for me to live in—alone.”
    Mrs. Bishop sniffed.
    Elinor said quickly:
    â€œI meant to ask you: Is there any especial piece of furniture that you might care to have? I should be very glad for you to have it, if so.”
    Mrs. Bishop beamed. She said graciously:
    â€œWell, Miss Elinor, that is very thoughtful of you—very kind, I’m sure. If it’s not taking a liberty…?”
    She paused and Elinor said:
    â€œOh, no.”
    â€œI have always had a great admiration for the secretaire in the drawing room. Such a handsome piece.”
    Elinor remembered it, a somewhat flamboyant piece of inlaid marqueterie. She said quickly:
    â€œOf course you shall have it, Mrs. Bishop. Anything else?”
    â€œNo, indeed, Miss Elinor. You have already been extremely generous.”
    Elinor said:
    â€œThere are some chairs in the same style as the secretaire. Would you care for those?”
    Mrs. Bishop accepted the chairs with becoming thanks. She explained:
    â€œI am staying at the moment with my sister. Is there anything I can do for you up at the house, Miss Elinor? I could come up there with you, if you like.”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    Elinor spoke quickly, rather abruptly.
    Mrs. Bishop said:
    â€œIt would be no trouble, I assure you—a pleasure. Such a melancholy task going through all dear Mrs. Welman’s things.”
    Elinor said:
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Bishop, but I would rather tackle it alone. One can do some things better