Read Online Surfeit of Lampreys by Ngaio Marsh - Free Book Online

was Baskett’s announcement, at six o’clock in the evening, of Lady Katherine’s arrival.
    The Lampreys and Roberta had assembled in the drawing-room to await the arrival of Lord Wutherwood. They were unnaturally silent. Even Mike had caught the feeling of tension. He stood by the wireless and turned the control knob as rapidly as possible until told to stop, when he flung himself moodily full length on the hearthrug and kicked his feet together.
    â€œThere’s the lift,” cried Lady Charles suddenly. “Mike, stay where you are and jump up. Remember to shake hands with Uncle Gabriel. Sprinkle some ‘sirs’ through your conversation, for heaven’s sake, and when I nod to you you are to give him the pot.”
    â€œMike’ll break it,” said Patch.
    â€œI won’t,” shouted Mike indignantly.
    â€œAnd remember,” continued his mother, “if I suggest a charade you’re all to go out and come back quietly and do one. Then, when you’ve finished, go out again so that Daddy can talk to Uncle Gabriel. And remember—”
    â€œCan’t we listen?” asked Patch.
    â€œWe’ll probably hear Uncle G. all over the flat,” said Henry.
    â€œAnd remember not to mention witchcraft. Uncle G. hates it.”
    â€œSsh!”
    â€œCan’t we be talking?” Frid suggested. “You’d think there was a corpse in the flat.”
    â€œIf you can think of anything to say, say it,” said her father gloomily.
    Frid began to speak in a high voice. “Aren’t those flowers over there too marvellous?” she asked. Nobody answered her. In the distance a bell rang. Baskett was heard to walk across the hall.
    â€œLovely, darling,” said Lady Charles violently. She appealed mutely to the children who stared in apprehension at the door and grimaced at each other. Lady Charles turned to Roberta.
    â€œRobin, darling, do tell us about your voyage Home. Did you have fun?”
    â€œYes,” said Roberta, whose heart was now thumping against her ribs. “Yes. We had a fancy-dress ball.”
    Lady Charles and Frid laughed musically. The door opened and Baskett came in.
    â€œLady Katherine Lobe, m’lady,” said Baskett.
    â€œGood God!” said Lord Charles.
    Lady Katherine came in. She walked with short steps and peered amiably through the cigarette smoke.
    â€œImogen, darling,” she whispered.
    â€œAunt Kit!”
    The Lampreys kept their heads admirably. They told Lady Katherine how delighted they were to see her and seated her by the fire. They introduced Roberta to her, teased her gently about her lame ducks and, with panic-stricken glances at each other, asked her to remove her raincoat.
    â€œSo nice to see you all,” whispered Lady Katherine. “Such luck for me to find the whole family. And there’s Michael home for the holidays and grown enormously. Patricia too. And the twins. Don’t speak, twins, and let me see if I can guess. This is Stephen, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes, Aunt Kit,” said Colin.
    â€œThere! I knew I was right. You got my note, Imogen darling?”
    â€œYes, Aunt Kit. We’re so pleased,” said Charlot.
    â€œYes I wondered if you had got it because you all looked quite surprised when I walked in. So I wondered.”
    â€œWe thought you were Uncle Gabriel,” shouted Mike.
    â€œWhat, dear?”
    â€œUncle Gabriel.”
    Lady Katherine passed a grey-fabric finger across her lips. “Is Gabriel coming, Charles?”
    â€œYes, Aunt Kit,” said Lord Charles. And as she merely gazed dimly at him he added loudly: “He’s coming to see me on business.”
    â€œWe’re going to have some charades,” bawled Mike.
    â€œI’m very glad,” said Lady Katherine emphatically. “I wish to see Gabriel. I have written to him several times but no response did I get. It’s about our Fresh Air Fund. A day