The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories (Hercule Poirot 21)

Agatha Christie

hopeless--prejudiced, narrow-minded. If only

she'd let herself, she'd see how fine Betty is."

"And Betty?"

He sighed.

"Betty's being damned difficult! If she'd just

conform a bit--I mean leave off the lipstick for a

day--it might make all the difference. She seems

to go out of her way to be--well--modern--when

Mother's about."

Mr. Parker Pyne smiled.

"Betty and Mother are two of the dearest

people in the world, I should have thought they

would have taken to each other like hot cakes."

"You have a lot to learn, young man,'.' said Mr.

Parker Pyne.

"I wish you'd come along and see Betty and

have a good talk about it all."

Mr. Parker Pyne accepted the invitation read-ily.

Betty and her sister and her husband lived in a

small dilapidated villa a little way back from the

sea. Their life was of a refreshing simplicity. Their

furniture comprised three chairs, a table and beds.

There was a cupboard in the wall that held the

bare requirements of cups and plates. Hans was an

excitable young man with wild blond hair that

stood up all over his head. He spoke very odd

English with incredible rapidity, walking up and

down as he did so. Stella, his wife, was small and

fair. Betty Gregg had red hair and freckles and a