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dress and a woollen cardigan over it. Carrie Louise had on a short dress of grey wool—Gina was resplendent in a kind of peasant getup. Wally had not changed, nor had Stephen Restarick, Edgar Lawson had on a neat, dark blue suit. Lewis Serrocold wore the conventional dinner jacket. He ate very little and hardly seemed to notice what was on his plate.
    After dinner Lewis Serrocold and Dr. Maverick went away to the latter’s office. The occupational therapist and the schoolmasters went away to some lair of their own. The three “cases” went back to the college. Gina and Stephen went to the theatre to discuss Gina’s idea for a set. Mildred knitted an indeterminate garment and Miss Bellever darned socks. Wally sat in a chair gently tilted backwards and stared into space. Carrie Louise and Miss Marple talked about old days. The conversation seemed strangely unreal.
    Edgar Lawson alone seemed unable to find a niche. He sat down and then got up restlessly.
    â€œI wonder if I ought to go to Mr. Serrocold,” he said rather loudly. “He may need me.”
    Carrie Louise said gently, “Oh, I don’t think so. He was going to talk over one or two points with Dr. Maverick this evening.”
    â€œThen I certainly won’t butt in! I shouldn’t dream of going where I wasn’t wanted. I’ve already wasted time today going down to the station when Mrs. Hudd meant to go herself.”
    â€œShe ought to have told you,” said Carrie Louise. “But I think she just decided at the last moment.”
    â€œYou do realise, Mrs. Serrocold, that she made me look a complete fool! A complete fool!”
    â€œNo, no,” said Carrie Louise, smiling. “You mustn’t have these ideas.”
    â€œI know I’m not needed or wanted … I’m perfectly aware of that. If things had been different—if I’d had my proper place in life it would be very different. Very different indeed. It’s no fault of mine that I haven’t got my proper place in life.”
    â€œNow, Edgar,” said Carrie Louise. “Don’t work yourself up aboutnothing. Jane thinks it was very kind of you to meet her. Gina always has these sudden impulses—she didn’t mean to upset you.”
    â€œOh yes, she did. It was done on purpose—to humiliate me—”
    â€œOh Edgar—”
    â€œYou don’t know half of what’s going on, Mrs. Serrocold. Well, I won’t say anymore now except good night.”
    Edgar went out shutting the door with a slam behind him.
    Miss Bellever snorted:
    â€œAtrocious manners.”
    â€œHe’s so sensitive,” said Carrie Louise vaguely.
    Mildred Strete clicked her needles and said sharply:
    â€œHe really is a most odious young man. You shouldn’t put up with such behavior, Mother.”
    â€œLewis says he can’t help it.”
    Mildred said sharply:
    â€œEveryone can help behaving rudely. Of course I blame Gina very much. She’s so completely scatterbrained in everything she undertakes. She does nothing but make trouble. One day she encourages the young man and the next day she snubs him. What can you expect?”
    Wally Hudd spoke for the first time that evening.
    He said:
    â€œThat guy’s crackers. That’s all there is to it! Crackers!”
    2
    In her bedroom that night, Miss Marple tried to review the pattern of Stonygates, but it was as yet too confused. There were currentsand crosscurrents here—but whether they could account for Ruth Van Rydock’s uneasiness it was impossible to tell. It did not seem to Miss Marple that Carrie Louise was affected in any way by what was going on round her. Stephen was in love with Gina. Gina might or might not be in love with Stephen. Walter Hudd was clearly not enjoying himself. These were incidents that might and did occur in all places and at most times. There was, unfortunately, nothing exceptional about them. They ended in the