It's natural for me to prefer my own times.
But you young things oughtn't to think so."
"I needn't have had a job then," said Julia.
"I could just have stayed at home and done the flowers, and written notes... Why did one write notes and who were they to?"
"All the people that you now ring up on the telephone," said Miss Blacklog with a twinkle.
"I don't believe you even know how to write, Julia."
"Not in the style of that delicious
'Complete Letter Writer' I found the other day.
Heavenly!
It told you the correct way of refusing a proposal of marriage from a widower."
"I doubt if you would have enjoyed staying at home as much as you think," said Miss Blacklog.
"There were duties, you know."
Her voice was dry.
"However, I don't really know much about it.
Bunny and I," she smiled affectionately at Dora Bunner, "went into the labour market early."
"Oh, we did, we did indeed," agreed Miss Bunner.
"Those naughty, naughty children.
I'll never forget them.
Of course, Letty was clever.
She was a business woman, secretary to a big financier."
The door opened and Phillipa Haymes came in. She was tall and fair and placid looking.
She looked round the room in surprise.
"Hallo," she said.
"Is it a party?
Nobody told me."
"Of course," cried Patrick.
"Our Phillipa doesn't know.
The only woman in Chipping Cleghorn who doesn't, I bet."
Phillipa looked at him inquiringly.
"Here you behold," said Patrick dramatically, waving a hand, "the scene of a murder!"
Phillipa Haymes looked faintly puzzled.
"Here," Patrick indicated the two big bowls of chrysanthemums, "are the funeral wreaths and these dishes of cheese straws and olives represent the funeral baked meats."
Phillipa looked inquiringly at Miss Blacklog.
"Is it a joke?" she asked.
"I'm always terribly stupid at seeing jokes."
"It's a very nasty joke," said Dora Bunner with energy.
"I don't like it at all."
"Show her the advertisement," said Miss Blacklog.
"I must go and shut up the ducks.
It's dark.
They'll be in by now."
"Let me do it," said Phillipa.
"Certainly not, my dear.
You've finished your day's work."
"I'll do it, Aunt Letty," offered Patrick.
"No, you won't," said Miss Blacklog with energy.
"Last time you didn't latch the door properly."
"I'll do it, Letty dear," cried Miss Bunner.
"Indeed, I should love to.
I'll just slip on my goloshes - and now where did I put my cardigan?"