Care for a Sandwich?

Ms. Ryan took one step forward to meet me. "Have you been getting a lesson on plants?" The question was not an idle one.

"Yes. Where did she learn so much about plants?"

"One of the nuns from the convent on our estate comes over regularly to give lessons to Sonia. I was hired to be her governess fifteen years ago when her mother died, but I soon discovered that I have no patience with children. Fortunately, Mr. Fitch needed someone to manage the house and his life. I am very good at managing things."

I could not disagree with her. She moved with a manner that implied directness and precision. She pointed me to a chair at the end of the patio. We both sat around a table piled with small cakes and sandwiches.

"Mrs. Munsing is a very good cook, but I am afraid we will have to let her go. All this talk others about murders. She gets all those ideas from reading those mystery stories to Sonia. Poison in the food! What a silly idea. Care for a sandwich?"

"How long has she been with the family?" I asked taking a sandwich but not eating it.

"Oh, she has been here for.. .well, she was here before I came. Mr. Fitch hired her when his wife Amelia died. I've told Mr. Fitch that I thought he should let her go, but he is a very kind person and hates to send anyone on her way."

"And when did Darjo begin working here?"

"He was here even before Mr. Fitch came. Actually, he used to work for Amelia Fitch when her father owned this property. Darjo was a famous pilot in World War II, but he was shot down and held prisoner. He evidently hasn't been the same since. He used to take care of the planes that Amelia flew. She was a good pilot herself, I am told, and had several planes.

"Amelia's father had even built a small airport in the valley beyond the house. The land has been given over to the convent now. Occasionally I hear a plane, so I think it's still in use. But I never walk over there. I don't like the woods; they are too dark."

I looked at the woods which surrounded the house and understood what she meant. I remembered how uncomfortable I had been when I was in the forest. "What does Darjo do now?"

"Not much. He's getting too old. He hated the other two wives and he doesn't like me much either. If there were a murderer, it would probably be him. He doesn't like anything to disturb the life he has known. Mr. Fitch once tried to get some dogs to guard the property. The next morning we found them with their throats cut. It was horrible. We were sure Darjo had done it, but there was no real proof. We just know he doesn't like anything new coming and staying. More tea?"

"Why doesn't Mr. Fitch get rid of him?"

"Out of loyalty to his first wife. It was in her will that Darjo would be taken care of until he died.

And that he could live here on this land." She sat forward in her chair and put a sweater around her shoulders. "It's getting cold out here. Why don't you go on down to the kitchen and talk to Mrs. Munsing? It's warm down there, and after all, she's the one who started this investigation. I'm sure she'll have much to say."

Questions about the Story

1. Where is the convent?

2. Where did Dwight sit?

3. How long has Mrs. Munsing been with the Fitches?

4. How were the dogs found?

5. Why does Mr. Fitch keep Darjo?

Directions: Read the passage and fill in each blank with an appropriate preposition. (Not all of the prepositions have been deleted.)

Date: 2015-01-29; view: 1419