The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

squandering your birthright."

Mrs. Chester looked at him, slightly taken

aback.

"What are the years from twenty to forty?

Fettered and bound by personal and emotional

relationships. That's bound to be. That's living.

But later there's a new stage. You can think,

observe life, discover something about other

people and the truth about yourself. Life becomes

real--significant. You see it as a whole. Not just

one scene--the scene you, as an actor, are playing.

No man or woman is actually himself (or herselO

till after forty-five. That's when individuality has

a chance."

Mrs. Chester said:

"I've been wrapped up in Basil. He's been everything to me."

"Well, he shouldn't have been. That's what you're paying for now. Love him as much as you

likewbut you're Adela Chester, remember, a per-son--not

just Basil's mother."

"It will break my heart if Basil's life is ruined,"

said Basil's xnother.

He looked at the delicate lines of her face, the

wistful droop of her mouth. She was, somehow, a

lovable woman. He did not want her to be hurt.

He said:

I'll see what I can do."

He found Basil Chester only too ready to talk,

eager to urge his point of view.

"This business is being just hellish. Mother's

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