“One can’t describe everyone.”

“But you began with the Manor.”

If he hesitated, it was only for a moment.

“It was probably because one of the letters mentioned Gilbert Earle.”

“What did it say?”

“I didn’t see it-I told you that. Joyce didn’t keep either of them. But as far as my information goes it accused her of trying to attract him-throwing herself at his head, that sort of thing, only I gather in rather more unvarnished language. The anonymous letter writer doesn’t generally worry about keeping the party clean.”

“And does Mrs. Rodney know Mr. Earle well?”

“She knows him. He’s down there constantly at weekends. But as a matter of fact she met him abroad some years ago when she was first married. They have friends and acquaintances in common. He has occasionally seen her home from the Manor or after some village do. There is nothing in it or ever has been, I am sure about that.”

“Would Miss Valentine Grey be equally sure? Or young Mrs. Repton?”

He laughed.

“I don’t know about Scilla Repton, but I don’t think Valentine is in the least likely to object to Gilbert seeing other people home. There doesn’t seem to be a general impression that she is head over ears in love with him. There was someone else-the parson’s nephew, one of the here to-day and gone tomorrow type. He and Valentine were pretty thick. And then he just vanished from the scene. Didn’t come, didn’t write, and Gilbert Earle began to make the running. Now she is going to marry him. Joyce says her heart isn’t in it.”

“Are they friends?”

“Yes, I think they are-” He hesitated. “Joyce hasn’t a great deal of time, you know. What with running the house, taking the child to kindergarten and fetching him again, well-”

Miss Silver murmured agreement.

“I am glad to hear that the little boy is well enough to go to school.”