Doctor Baker pulled the Scotch terrier inside the house.
I heard the door shut.
A man with one leg and a barrel-organ began playing 'Roses in Picardy', at the end of the road.
Chapter twenty-seven
We went and stood by the car.
No one said anything for a few minutes.
Colonel Julyan handed round his cigarette case.
Favell looked grey, rather shaken.
I noticed his hands were trembling as he held the match.
The man with the barrel-organ ceased playing for a moment and hobbled towards us, his cap in his hand.
Maxim gave him two shillings.
Then he went back to the barrel-organ and started another tune.
The church clock struck six o'clock.
Favell. began to speak.
His voice was diffident, careless, but his face was still grey.
He did not look at any of us, he kept glancing down at his cigarette and turning it over in his fingers.
"This cancer business,' he said; 'does anybody know if it's contagious?'
No one answered him.
Colonel Julyan shrugged his shoulders.
'I never had the remotest idea,' said Favell jerkily.
'She kept it a secret from everyone, even Danny.
What a God-damned appalling thing, eh?
Not the sort of thing one would ever connect with Rebecca.
Do you fellows feel like a drink?
I'm all out over this, and I don't mind admitting it.
Cancer!
Oh, my God!'
He leant up against the side of the car and shaded his eyes with his hands.
'Tell that bloody fellow with the barrel-organ to clear out,' he said.
'I can't stand that God-damned row.'
'Wouldn't it be simpler if we went ourselves?' said Maxim.
'Can you manage your own car, or do you want Julyan to drive it for you?'
'Give me a minute,' muttered Favell. 'I'll be all right.
You don't understand.
This thing has been a damned unholy shock to me.'
'Pull yourself together, man, for heaven's sake,' said Colonel Julyan.
'If you want a drink go back to the house and ask Baker.
He knows how to treat for shock, I dare say.
Don't make an exhibition of yourself in the street.'
'Oh, you're all right, you're fine,' said Favell, standing straight and looking at Colonel Julyan and Maxim.
'You've got nothing to worry about any more.
Max is on a good wicket now, isn't he?
You've got your motive, and Baker will supply it in black and white free of cost, whenever you send the word.
You can dine at Manderley once a week on the strength of it and feel proud of yourself.
No doubt Max will ask you to be godfather to his first child.'
'Shall we get into the car and go?' said Colonel Julyan to Maxim.
'We can make our plans going along.'
Maxim held open the door of the car, and Colonel Julyan climbed in.
I sat down in my seat in the front.
Favell still leant against the car and did not move.