That would be the natural way, I should think.
But I simply don't know.
Does it make any difference?"
Chapter 20 MISS MARPLE IS MISSING
The postman, rather to his disgust, had lately been given orders to make an afternoon delivery of letters in Chipping Cleghorn as well as a morning one.
On this particular afternoon he left three letters at Little Paddocks at exactly ten minutes to five.
One was addressed to Phillipa Haymes in a schoolboy's hand; the other two were for Miss Blacklog.
She opened them as she and Phillipa sat down at the tea table.
The torrential rain had enabled Phillipa to leave Dayas Hall early today, since once she had shut up the greenhouses there was nothing more to do.
Miss Blacklog tore open her first letter which was a bill for repairing the kitchen boiler.
She snorted angrily.
"Dymond's prices are preposterous - quite preposterous.
Still, I suppose all the other people are just as bad."
She opened the second letter which was in a handwriting quite unknown to her.
Dear Cousin Letty, I hope it will be all right for me to come to you on Tuesday?
I wrote to Patrick two days ago but he hasn't answered.
So I presume it's all right.
Mother is coming to England next month and hopes to see you then.
My train arrives at Chipping Cleghorn at 6:15 if that's convenient?
Yours affectionately, Julia Simmons.
Miss Blacklog read the letter once with astonishment pure and simple, and then again with a certain grimness.
She looked up at Phillipa who was smiling over her son's letter.
"Are Julia and Patrick back, do you know?"
Phillipa looked up.
"Yes, they came in just after I did. They went upstairs to change.
They were wet."
"Perhaps you'd not mind going and calling them."
"Of course, I will."
"Wait a moment - I'd like you to read this."
She handed Phillipa the letter she had received. Phillipa read it and frowned.
"I don't understand..."
"Nor do I, quite...
I think it's about time I did.
Call Patrick and Julia, Phillipa."
Phillipa called from the bottom of the stairs:
"Patrick!
Julia!
Miss Blacklog wants you."
Patrick came running down the stairs and entered the room.
"Don't go, Phillipa," said Miss Blacklog.
"Hallo, Aunt Letty," said Patrick cheerfully.
"Want me?"
"Yes, I do.
Perhaps you'll give me an explanation of this?"
Patrick's face showed an almost comical dismay as he read.
"I meant to telegraph her!
What an ass I am!"
"This letter, I presume, is from your sister Julia?"
"Yes - yes, it is."
Miss Blacklog said grimly: "Then who, may I ask, is the young woman whom you brought here as Julia Simmons, and whom I was given to understand was your sister and my cousin?"