Mary Anne and Eliza left that afternoon, but Rosie decided to stay. It
was about five o'clock when the hack came from the station to get them,
and, to my amazement, it had an occupant. Matthew Geist, the driver,
asked for me, and explained his errand with pride.
"I've brought you a cook, Miss Innes," he said. "When the message came
to come up for two girls and their trunks, I supposed there was
something doing, and as this here woman had been looking for work in
the village, I thought I'd bring her along."
Already I had acquired the true suburbanite ability to take servants on
faith; I no longer demanded written and unimpeachable references. I,
Rachel Innes, have learned not to mind if the cook sits down
comfortably in my sitting-room when she is taking the orders for the
day, and I am grateful if the silver is not cleaned with scouring soap.
And so that day I merely told Liddy to send the new applicant in. When
she came, however, I could hardly restrain a gasp of surprise. It was
the woman with the pitted face.
She stood somewhat awkwardly just inside the door, and she had an air
of self-confidence that was inspiring. Yes, she could cook; was not a
fancy cook, but could make good soups and desserts if there was any one
to take charge of the salads. And so, in the end, I took her. As
Halsey said, when we told him, it didn't matter much about the cook's
face, if it was clean.
I have spoken of Halsey's restlessness. On that day it seemed to be
more than ever a resistless impulse that kept him out until after
luncheon. I think he hoped constantly that he might meet Louise
driving over the hills in her runabout: possibly he did meet her
occasionally, but from his continued gloom I felt sure the situation
between them was unchanged.
Part of the afternoon I believe he read--Gertrude and I were out, as I
have said, and at dinner we both noticed that something had occurred to
distract him. He was disagreeable, which is unlike him, nervous,
looking at his watch every few minutes, and he ate almost nothing. He
asked twice during the meal on what train Mr. Jamieson and the other
detective were coming, and had long periods of abstraction during which
he dug his fork into my damask cloth and did not hear when he was
spoken to. He refused dessert, and left the table early, excusing
himself on the ground that he wanted to see Alex.
Alex, however, was not to be found. It was after eight when Halsey
ordered the car, and started down the hill at a pace that, even for
him, was unusually reckless. Shortly after, Alex reported that he was
ready to go over the house, preparatory to closing it for the night.
Sam Bohannon came at a quarter before nine, and began his patrol of the
grounds, and with the arrival of the two detectives to look forward to,
I was not especially apprehensive.