All Bedlam Courses Past (part two hundred thirty-seven)

All Bedlam Courses Past

Chapter Eight

Things Relative

(part two hundred thirty-seven)

On one of these occasions, Aunt Prince had got right up Mrs. Cox’s nose. They were having a theatre night, and paid the call at seven, Aunt Prince wanting a hired coach instead of Barney driving, saying she would meet the Demroses. She plunked down in a corner while they played a quick hand, but she kept butting in, asking things.

I said, Myra! Why don’t you and Manfred come along this time, why not?

And Aunt Prince said Oh! in a big way, and stood up. No, no, we can’t impose, she’ll hardly have time to dress. We ought to be going right now. Myra was nice about it. And when we were all in the coach, Aunt Prince told me it was improper, Manfred being escort to his stepdaughter, while his wife was in her bed.

The report of Aunt Prince to Milwaukee had cut off the visits to Cornish House.

“And how thrilled are Dorcas and Barney about the murder mystery?” Élucide asked.

Monaghan twinkled, but forged on to the meatiest of Mrs. Cox’s observations. Prior to the ukase, they had lunched a second time with Regina present; Regina had not liked it, Dorcas thought, Myra and Manfred’s entertaining as hosts. She had made what Dorcas called catty remarks about her own daughter.

“Catty remarks constitute what?” Weem asked.

“Mr. Shute put the question. He does not like the gossiping habit. Let me see… Was that a new frock? When did you ever get it? Mother, this is yours. You said I could have the things you don’t wear anymore. Mrs. Cox reports a look, from Mrs. Demrose to Miss Buckley. Mother, I had it dyed and taken in. Mrs. Demrose tut-tuts Miss Buckley is just skin and bones.”

“Undercutting,” Élucide said. Weem did not want this endorsement added to Monaghan’s proofs. But Weem was not playing devil’s advocate on behalf of Manfred, whom she doubted he’d liked, merely hardened into his role of pressman at odds with policeman.

“If I tell the truth, it was noticeable when I met them in ’81. Myra could never be quite in the right. Literally, the right place. Regina almost stepped on her at one point.”

“It was a case of brothers marrying sisters,” Monaghan said, cryptically, and towards Ebrach. “Aunt Prince is sister-in-law to Mrs. Cox’s father, but also sister to her mother. Prince is the fellow of the coal barges, who wishes his daughter will not be involved, nor named inside a courtroom whatsoever, nor asked to put a signature to her statements. And a shame it is…money. She makes a charming witness, Mrs. Cox. She would have left a jury well persuaded of Miss Buckley and Demrose.”

“But my daughter, you expect, can be involved.”

“Sir, I have conceived a great faith in your daughter’s presence of mind.”

Élucide’s father allowed a sour and slight smile. “And it’s that sort of testimony you want from her.”

249

Bedlam

All Bedlam Courses Past (part two hundred thirty-eight)

(2025, Stephanie Foster)