sudden, calm, natural, careless (carelessly), tired, quick, important, quiet, electric, excited, curiously (curious), own, bitter, dry, gay, helpless (15)
confident, obstinately (obstinate) (2)
Agatha Christie. Philomel Cottage (in English, for intermediate, part 7)
- to carry out her plan — осуществить свой план
- Alix hold a deep breath. — У Алекс перехватило дыхание.
- veal cutlets — телячьи котлеты
A sudden idea flashed into her mind. She looked at her husband as though she feared that he could read it. Now she had a plan and her courage came back to her. She became calm and natural.
She made the coffee and took it out to the sitting-room where they often sat on fine evenings.
«By the way,» said Gerald suddenly, «we’ll do those photographs later.»
Alix felt a shiver run through her, but she replied carelessly: «Can’t you manage alone? I’m rather tired tonight.»
«It won’t take long.» He smiled to himself. «And I can promise you you won’t be tired afterwards.»
The words seemed to amuse him. Alix shuddered. Now or never was the time to carry out her plan. She rose to her feet.
«I’m just going to telephone to the butcher,» she said.
«To the butcher?»
«Tomorrow’s Saturday, and I want him to bring me some veal cutlets.» She went quickly into the house, closing the door behind her.
She heard Gerald say, «Don’t shut the door,» and answered quickly.
«It keeps the moths out. I hate moths.» Once inside she called the Travelers Arms.
«Mr Windyford? Is he still there? May I speak to him?»
Then her heart stopped beating. Her husband came into the hall. Her plan had almost failed. Alix was in despair. In a minute Dick Windyford would come to the phone. Should she risk all and cry out for help? Would he understand what she meant? And at that minute she heard Dick Windyford’s voice at the other end of the phone.
Alix hold a deep breath. «Mrs Martin speaking — from Philomel Cottage. Please come tomorrow morning with six veal cutlets. It’s very important. Thank you so much, Mr Hexworthy, you don’t mind my ringing you up so late, I hope, but those veal cutlets are really a matter of life or death…” (she said quietly)
“Tomorrow morning,” -she paused, -“ as soon as possible…» She put down the receiver and turned to face her husband, breathing hard.
Gerald seemed to suspect nothing. Surely Dick, even if he didn’t understand, would come. She passed into the sitting room and switched on the electric light. Gerald followed her.
«You seem very excited now,» he said, watching her curiously.
«Yes,» said Alix, «my headache’s gone.» She smiled at her husband, as he sat into his own chair opposite her. She was saved. It was only five and twenty past eight. Long before nine o’clock Dick would arrive.
«I thought of that coffee you gave me,» complained Gerald. «It tasted very bitter.»
«It’s a new kind I was trying. We won’t have it again if you don’t like it, dear.»
Alix took up a piece of needlework and began to sew. She felt confident now. Gerald read a few pages of his book. Then he glanced up at the clock and put the book away.
«Half-past eight. Time to go down to the cellar and start work.» The work slipped from Alix’s fingers.
«Oh! not yet. Let us wait until nine o’clock.»
«No, my girl, half-past eight. That’s the time I fixed. You’ll be able to get to bed all the earlier.»
«But I’d rather wait until nine.»
«Half-past eight,» said Gerald obstinately. «You know when I fix a time, I always stick to it. Come along, Alix. I’m not going to wait a minute longer.»
Alix looked up at him, and felt a wave of terror overcame her. The mask had been lifted; Gerald’s hands were twitching; his eyes were shining with excitement; he was continually licking his dry lips. He no longer tried to hide his excitement.
Alix thought: «It’s true — he can’t wait — he’s like a madman.» He came over to her, and put his hand on her shoulder. «Come on, my girl — or I’ll carry you there.» His tone was gay, but there was some cruelty behind it that horrified her. With a effort she stood up. She was helpless. She couldn’t get away — she couldn’t do anything — and he was coming towards her.
«Now, Alix …»
She screamed, her hands held out to protect herself from him.
The story is coming to the end! This picture may help you guess what will happen.
