‘It isn’t any business of mine,’ said Miss Marple, ‘but I suppose you realize, Carrie Louise, that he’s in love with her.’

‘Oh no — ’ Carrie Louise looked troubled. ‘Oh no, I do hope not.’

‘You were always up in the clouds, Carrie Louise. There’s not the least doubt about it.’

Chapter 4

I

Before Mrs Serrocold could say anything, her husband came in from the hall carrying some open letters in his hand.

Lewis Serrocold was a short man, not particularly impressive in appearance, but with a personality that immediately marked him out. Ruth had once said of him that he was more like a dynamo than a human being. He usually concentrated entirely on what was immediately occupying his attention and paid no attention to the objects or persons who were surrounding them.

‘A bad blow, dearest,’ he said. ‘That boy, Jackie Flint. Back at his tricks again. And I really did think he meant to go straight this time if he got a proper chance. He was most earnest about it. You know we found he’d always been keen on railways — and both Maverick and I thought that if he got a job on the railways he’d stick to it and make good. But it’s the same story. Petty thieving from the parcels office. Not even stuff he could want or sell. That shows that it must be psychological. We haven’t really got to the root of the trouble. But I’m not giving up.’

‘Lewis — this is my old friend, Jane Marple.’

‘Oh how d’you do,’ said Mr Serrocold absently. ‘So glad — they’ll prosecute, of course. A nice lad, too, not too many brains, but a really nice boy. Unspeakable home he came from. I — ’

He suddenly broke off, and the dynamo was switched on to the guest.

‘Why, Miss Marple, I’m so delighted you’ve come to stay with us for a while. It will make such a great difference to Caroline to have a friend of old days with whom she can exchange memories. She has in many ways a grim time here — so much sadness in the stories of these poor children. We do hope you’ll stay with us a very long time.’

Miss Marple felt the magnetism and realized how attractive it would have been to her friend. That Lewis Serrocold was a man who would always put causes before people she did not doubt for a moment. It might have irritated some women, but not Carrie Louise.

Lewis Serrocold sorted out another letter.

‘At any rate we’ve some good news. This is from the Wiltshire and Somerset Bank. Young Morris is doing extremely well. They’re thoroughly satisfied with him and in fact are promoting him next month. I always knew that all he needed was responsibility — that, and a thorough grasp of the handling of money and what it means.’

He turned to Miss Marple.

‘Half these boys don’t know what money is. It represents to them going to the pictures or to the dogs, or buying cigarettes — and they’re clever with figures and find it exciting to juggle them round. Well, I believe in — what shall I say? — rubbing their noses in the stuff — train them in accountancy, in figures — show them the whole inner romance of money, so to speak. Give them skill and then responsibility — let them handle it officially. Our greatest successes have been that way — only two out of thirty-eight have let us down. One’s head cashier in a firm of druggists — a really responsible position — ’