"A very unusual experience," she said encouragingly. "Particularly interesting."
"I could tell you many more things. Some, of course, are not suitable for female ears–"
With the ease of long practice, Miss Marple lowered her fluttering eyelids, and Major Palgrave continued the embellished version of the customs of certain tribes, while Miss Marple returned to thoughts of her dear nephew.
Raymond West was a very successful author with a large income, and conscientiously and kindly did everything he could to ease the life of his elderly aunt, who had suffered a severe pneumonia the previous winter and the doctor had advised sunshine. Quite aristocratically, Raymond had proposed a trip to the West Indies. Miss Marple had objections about the cost, the distance, the difficulties of the journey, and the separation from her home in Saint Mary Mead. Raymond had arranged everything. A friend who was writing a book was looking for a quiet place in the countryside. "He will take great care of the house. He prides himself on its tidiness. He is a brother. I mean–"
He had stopped, somewhat embarrassed – but it cannot be, even dear Aunt Jane must have known what a brother is. Then he faced the next issues. Travel was nothing today. Aunt would go by air – another friend of his, Diana Horrocks, would go to Trinidad and would make sure Aunt Jane arrived there safely, while in Saint Honoré she would stay at the Golden Palm hotel, which was run by the Sanderson couple. There were no kinder people. They would take care of her. He would write to them immediately.
Eventually, the Sandersons had returned to England. Their successors, however, the Kendals, were very kind and friendly people and assured Raymond that he need not have the slightest hesitation about his aunt. The island had a very good doctor in case of emergency and they themselves would keep the elderly lady in mind and make sure she was comfortable.