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"Distinctly so," Nasmyth agreed. "Still, Marple and his lot are exceptions. Wasn't Clarence rather thick with them?" "Yes," she answered. "I've been rather disturbed about him." Nasmyth did not know what this meant. He thought she would hardly have made such an admission had she contemplated marrying the man; and, if not, it was somewhat difficult to see why he should cause her serious concern.
He and Nasmyth took charge of the situation, sternly refusing to listen to all well-meant suggestions, until at last the doctor and Marple came hurrying across the field. The former hastily examined the injured man and then looked up at Nasmyth. "Upper arm gone, close to the shoulder joint," he announced. "Collar-bone too. I'll give him some brandy. Shout to those fellows with the stretcher."
Marple raised his hands in expostulation. He liked Lisle, and Gladwyne was a distinguished guest. Batley seemed to find his confusion amusing. "I think the only thing we can do is to let the matter drop," he suggested. "These fellows from the wilds are primitive one can't expect too much. The correct feeling or delicacy of expression we'd look for among ourselves is hardly in their line."
"They were a disgrace to any estate when I last saw them," Nasmyth broke in. "Besides, the sour land near the river should have been tile-drained long ago." "So Bell has urged; but he can't get Marple to spend a penny I'm glad that man's new to this part of the country and doesn't belong to us. Well, just after I met Bell, Marple's big motor came along.
I think I hear Flo Marple singing." A voice from somewhere below reached them through the open door. It was a good voice, but the words were a silly jingle and the humor in them could not be considered delicate.
But Marple having no guess of their intention, and perceiving them to stand still, repeated his order to them to ride off, with greater vehemency than before, which as soon as they apprehended they very readily complied with, and rode off as hard as their horses would carry them.
"It seems that she saw Gladwyne and his mother and Millicent together in town, and she afterward spent a week with Flo Marple at somebody's house. Flo told her that it looks as if the long-deferred arrangement was to be brought about at last." He laid down the letter. "If that means she's to marry Gladwyne, it ought to be prevented!"
Batley demanded in a bellicose voice. "I don't think so; anyway, so long as you don't rule out my suggestion. Still, I'm willing to leave Gladwyne to decide the point. He seems to understand these delicate matters." Marple, looking distressed and irresolute, broke in before Gladwyne had a chance to reply. "Do you know much about mining, Lisle?" Lisle laughed.
They both of them protested that their wives had not anything to do with their affairs, that they never advised them, nor were so much as privy to the offences they had committed. Then both of them suffered with much penitence and resignation, on the 24th of March, 1729, Marple being about thirty, and Cotton near twenty-five years of age.
It's a point I've wondered about, though Marple and his rather rowdy friends are prosperous. I can better see why they got hold of Clarence." "I don't see it," responded Lisle. "Remember I'm an unsophisticated stranger in search of information. If they've means enough, can't they associate with whom they like?" Nasmyth smiled, but there was a trace of diffidence in his manner.
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