Loyalties

Book Excerpt: ...he is smoking a cigarette. LADY A. I've told the Dancys--she was in bed. And I got through to Newmarket, Charles, and Inspector Dede is coming like the wind on a motor cycle. MARGARET. Did he say "like the wind," Adela? He must have imagination. Isn't this gorgeous? Poor little Ferdy!WINSOR. [Vexed] You might take it seriously, Margaret; it's pretty beastly for us all. What time did you come up?MARGARET. I came up with Adela. Am I suspected, Charles? How thrilling!WINSOR. Did you hear anything?MARGARET. Only little Ferdy splashing. WINSOR. And saw nothing?MARGARET. Not even that, alas!LADY A. [With a finger held up] Leste! Un peu leste! Oh! Here are the Dancys. Come in, you two!MABEL and RONALD DANCY enter. She is a pretty young woman with bobbed hair, fortunately, for she has just got out of bed, and is in her nightgown and a wrapper. DANCY is in his smoking jacket. He has a pale, determined face with high cheekbones, small, deep...