Chapter 19 【７】

Mrs. Elleton, who looked elegant and luxurious in a black trimmed evening dress, stepped down two decks and came to the door of the dining room, just in time to meet her son. I'm so sorry, baby.I think I'm running late. Not sure where our seats are.There are small dining tables in the hall.Mrs. Elleton stopped and waited for the bellboy to greet them. By the way, she added, I invited the little M. Poirot to sit with us. Mom, you really are!Tim looked a little unhappy. Mrs. Elleton stared in wonder at her son, who was always easygoing. do you mind baby yes i mind.He is a vulgar little man!

Oh no Tim!You can't say that. In any case, why should we be with an outsider?In this little boat such a thing is but a nuisance, and he will haunt us all day long. I'm so sorry, baby."I thought you would like the arrangement," said Mrs. Elleton, somewhat disappointed.M. Poirot must have had many interesting experiences, and you have always loved detective novels. Tim grunted: I hope you don't come up with such good ideas, Mom.I suppose it's impossible to get rid of him now? Well, Tim, that's all. Well, let's bear with it! At this moment, the waiter came and ushered them to their seats.Mrs. Elleton followed suspiciously.Tim has always been so easy-going and doesn't lose his temper easily, and his attitude today is not at all like him.Although he has always disliked the British and distrusted foreigners, Tim is by no means a person with regional or national prejudices.Alas, she sighed to herself.Men are so elusive!Even the closest people are so confused.

They had just sat down when Poirot stepped quietly into the dining room and stopped by the third chair at the table. Mrs. Elleton, am I really welcome to join you? Of course welcome.Sit down, M. Poirot. You are so kind! As Poirot sat down, he cast a quick glance at Tim, who could not conceal his indifference. Mrs. Elleton was disturbed.In order to ease the atmosphere, while drinking soup, she casually picked up the passenger list beside the plate. Let's get to know each traveler!She proposed excitedly, and I thought it would be interesting. She began to read: Mrs. Elleton and Tim.What a coincidence, Mr. Elleton.Miss Duberfer.Oh, she arranged to sit with the Utterborne mother and daughter.I wondered how she would get along with Rosalie.Who is next?Doctor Bassler.Doctor Bassler?Who knows Dr. Bessler?

She turned her gaze to the table where three gentlemen sat. I figured he must be the fat guy with his hair and beard carefully shaved, and I thought he was a German.It seems that he appreciates his soup!There was an interesting sound. Mrs. Elleton read on: Miss Bowles?Shall we take a guess?There's three or four ladies here. Well, let her go for now.Mr. Doyle and Mrs. Doyle.Yes, the main character of this journey.Mrs. Doyle is indeed charming, look at that beautiful dress she is wearing. Tim turned his head away.Lina sat at a corner table with her husband and Pennington.Lin Na was wearing a white dress with a string of pearl necklaces.

I think it's too vegetarian!Tim said, add a string of rope in the middle of a long piece of cloth. Baby, his mother said, this outfit is worth more than 80 naia (Note) miles, you describe it like this, it is really unique. (Note: In the former name of the British gold coin, one guinea was equal to twenty-one shillings) I really can't understand why women are willing to spend so much money on clothing.Tim said. Mrs. Elleton continued to study her traveling companions: Mr. Finthorpe must have been one of the four gentlemen at the table over there.A taciturn young man.What a handsome face, cautious and clever.

Poirot agreed with her. He was indeed very clever.He is strict with words, but he listens and observes others carefully.Ah, he is so good at using his eyes, he doesn't look like an idler traveling in mountains and rivers.I really want to know what he's doing here. Mr Ferguson, read Mrs Elleton, I guess it must be our anti-capitalist friend.Mrs. Utterburn and Miss Utterburn, we know both.Mr. Pennington!aka uncle andrew is a nice man i think all right, mom!Tim said. I mean he's pretty, but he's a little bit cold,' said Mrs. Elleton, harshly.Like the people in the papers who are on Wall Street, or live on Wall Street.I'm sure he must be rich.The next Hercule.M. Poirot's buried genius.Tim, would you like to speak to Mr. Poirot about the crime?

Her good-natured joke apparently pissed off her son again.He frowned, and Mrs. Elleton hurried on: Mr. Richetti, our Italian archaeologist.Miss Robertson and the last Miss Vanshul.Needless to say, it was the ugly old American woman who considered herself the queen of the ship!For those who have no status, never think that she will pay attention to you.What a contemptuous old fellow!With her must be Miss Bowles and Miss Robertson.The slender woman with the pince-nez was probably a secretary, and the other young lady was a poor relative who seemed quite happy despite being treated like a nigger.I guess Robertson is the secretary and Miss Bowles is the poor relation.

Wrong, Mom!Tim grinned.Suddenly his good temper came alive again. how do you know? As I was wandering about before dinner, I heard the old woman say to her companion, Where is Miss Bowles?Call her at once, Cornea.Cornea ran off like an obedient dog. I'm going to speak to Miss Vatican.Mrs. Elleton mused. Tim grinned again. She'll snub you, Mom. Never will.I would try to sit next to her and talk to her, in a low (but knowledgeable), well-bred voice, about any famous relative or friend I could remember.Better to mention your second cousin, Lord Glasgow, who has retired.Something like this will probably work.

Mom, you are really unscrupulous! After dinner they joined an interesting conversation with an anthropologist. The young Socialist (Mr. Ferguson, I guessed rightly) retreated to the smoking room, sniffing at the passengers who had gathered in the observation hall on the upper deck. As usual, Miss Van Schuyler chose a place with the best view and good ventilation, and here was the table where Mrs Utterborne had previously sat.She said: Sorry, I'm sure, oh I thought, I left my sewing here! Mrs. Utterburn, still under hypnosis, stood up and made room.Miss Fanshule sat down quickly and arranged her seat.Mrs. Utterburn, in her turban, had to sit next to her. She sat talking about various subjects, but received only a few cold, polite replies, and she fell silent.At this moment Miss Vatican sat alone on her throne.

Mr. and Mrs. Doyle with Mrs. Elleton and her son.Dr. Bassler is back with the quiet Mr. Finthorpe.Jaclyn.Dubelfort sat reading a book.Rosalie.Utterborn would not sit down.Once or twice Mrs. Elleton tried to get her to join them, but Rosalie politely refused. Poirot spent the evening listening to Mrs. Utterburn's writing experience.When he returned to the room, he met Jaclyn.du Belfer.She leaned against the rail.When she turned her head, Poirot noticed that her face was full of extreme sadness, instead of the previous indifferent and provocative gesture. good night miss. Good night, M. Poirot.She hesitated for a while, then said, it's strange that you meet me here, isn't it?

What I feel is not surprise, but regret, he said bitterly. You mean you're sorry for me? It is, ma'am, that you have chosen a dangerous path. When the ferry began our journey, you also embarked on a personal and dangerous path. Rapids, dangerous rocks, and unfathomable eddies. What makes you say that? For you have cut the safety line that is tied to you.I doubt very much that you will be able to turn your head now. She said slowly: Indeed She looks away. Ah, everyone has to follow their own star, wherever it leads you Miss, take care that it's not a stray star Jaclyn smiled, imitating the words of the donkey kid: That's a bad star, sir!the star will fall Just as he was about to fall asleep, Poirot was awakened by a murmured voice.It's Simon.Doyle's voice, repeating what he said when the boat sailed: we have to end things now Yes, Poirot thought to himself, he was not happy now that it had to be done.