The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

don’t understand though, is how she ever got there. And when do you think?”
    By now the press around Fredericka was overpowering. The doctor was forced to put up his plump hand and raise his voice so that it could be heard in every corner of the room.
    “I want you to understand that we’re not going to hold an inquest here in the inn on a pleasant social Sunday evening. If I hear one more question or remark from any of you, I’ll inject a quick silencing shot without a moment’s hesitation. My black bag’s just outside in the car. Come on, Miss Wing, let’s sit down over in that corner. I want to get some reading advice and I understand that, like dear Lucy, you’re an authority.”
    Fredericka longed to put down her laden plate and hug him and, even as it was, she gave him a smile of such heartfelt gratitude that the old man became her friend for life.
    At that moment there was a sudden flash of lightning followed immediately by a deep rumble of thunder. It was as though the doctor had been supported by a sign from heaven, and the crowd fell back to let them pass through.
    “Sit down here next to me,” he remarked as he found two empty chairs. And then, when they were settled comfortably, he fished in his pocket and handed her a small bottle of pills. “Just in case you may find it hard to sleep. Won’t hurt you. Good for the nerves, in fact, and I don’t know who has a better right to nerves than you do.”
    “Oh, thank you. You are kind,” Fredericka said quickly. “But I expect I’ll be all right in a day or two.”
    “Let’s hope we all are.” He looked thoughtful and then added, half to himself, “But somehow I can’t believe that we’ll put all this behind us for some time to come.”
    “Can’t you? Why not?” Fredericka asked at once.
    “I was talking to myself, but since, like the old fool I am, I thought out loud, I must explain. We won’t know the result of the autopsy before Wednesday or Thursday but something tells me that, when we do, it’ll knock the lid right off this town. I may be exaggerating. I may even,” he tried to smile, “be wrong, so let’s forget it. Instead I want you to tell me what you’ve got in the library that’s new and good escape-reading for a hardworking doctor.”
    The obvious device worked, and soon Fredericka found herself talking about the latest fiction and nonfiction, then about her job as a librarian and then a great deal about herself—a fact which she was to remember later with some shame.
    Philippine came up with a fudge sundae and a large piece of sponge cake which she handed to Fredericka in exchange for her empty plate. Presently she returned with her own, and sat down on the arm of Fredericka’s chair.
    “I’ve been listening to you and Doctor Ted, and I’ve got some reading problems too. But I expect you’re too tired tonight.”
    She stopped and Fredericka said at once, “Oh, no, I’m not in the least tired. As a matter of fact I broke all my rules and had a nap this afternoon.” Perhaps, after all, she had been wrong about Philippine. Perhaps they were going to have time to be friends. “Do you like murders, too?”
    “We can’t seem to get away from them, can we?” Philippine asked quickly. “No—I don’t like to read about them. These stories are so stupid and obvious. But I have to confess I like—how do you call it—?”
    “Westerns,” Doctor Ted put in. “I know your weakness because I share it, and Lucy Hartwell told me about you in order to reassure me and, I suspect, encourage me.” He chuckled good-naturedly.
    “I’ve got some new ones in, as a matter of fact,” Fredericka said. “Why don’t you both walk back with me and get a supply?”
    “Good idea,” the doctor agreed. “The only trouble is that I’ll have to be polite and let Philippine have all the best ones.”
    “No, Dr. Ted, this time you can have the lot. I want something I can bite into—”
    “I’ve got the new Evelyn Waugh,” Fredericka offered.
    “Have you read it?”
    “No, but I dare to recommend him without a reading.
    “Good girl,” Dr. Scott said, “and,” he added, “a good business woman, perhaps. Well, the storm seems to have rumbled itself away into the distance. Shall we go along before it decides to come back?” He struggled to his feet from the low chair.
    As they walked back together, Fredericka wondered if Philippine and the doctor were aware of her stupid fears and were simply being kind. But she