calm, weak, unsure (sure), pale, silent, loving, helpless, natural, attentive, gay (10)
Agatha Christie. Philomel Cottage (in English, for intermediate, 6)
- as though petrified
- humming a little tune hum a tune – напевать мелодию )
- to arouse his suspicions — возбудить подозрения
- a momentary suspicion — на секунду подозрение
For nothing on earth would she spend another night under the same roof with him. She quickly put the roll of clippings in the drawer and locked it. And then she had heard the creak of the gate into the road. Her husband had returned. For a moment Alix stayed as though petrified, then she went on tiptoe to the window, looking out from behind the curtain.
Yes, it was her husband. He was smiling to himself and humming a little tune. In his hand he held a new spade. Alix`s heart stop beating. It was to be tonight…
But there was still a chance. Gerald, still humming his little tune, went round to the back of the house. But just as she appeared at the door, she saw her husband going round the other side of the house.
«Hello,» he said. «Where are you running off to in such a hurry?»
Alix tried to appear calm not to arouse his suspicions.
«I was going to walk to the end of the lane and back,» she said, in a voice that sounded weak and unsure to her own ears.
«Right,» said Gerald, «I’ll come with you.»
«No — please, Gerald. I’m — nervy, headachy — I’d rather go alone.» He looked at her attentively. A momentary suspicion gleamed in his eye.
«What’s the matter with you, Alix? You’re pale — trembling.»
«Nothing,» she forced herself to be smiling.»I’ve got a headache, that’s all. A walk will do me good.»
«Well, I’m coming with you.» She became silent. If he suspected that she knew….
When they returned to the house, he insisted on her lying down. He was, as ever, the loving husband, yet Alix felt as helpless as though she was in a trap.
Not for a minute would he leave her alone. He went with her into the kitchen and helped her to bring in the simple dishes she had already prepared. Supper was a meal that choked her, yet she forced herself to eat, and even to appear gay and natural. She knew now that she was fighting for her life. She was alone with this man, miles from help. Her only chance was that he would leave her alone for a few moments — long enough for her to get to the telephone in the hall and call for help. That was her only hope now.
Oh! if only Dick Windyford were coming to the house this evening. If Dick ….