P.D. James

Tea arrived, the tray set on a low table by a stolid 6 and aproned maid 7 almost as old as her mistress who carefully avoided looking at Dalgliesh. It was a good tea. Dalgliesh saw with an emotion which was too like compassion to be comfortable that trouble had been taken on his behalf8. There were fresh-baked9 scones, two kinds of sandwiches, homemade cakes and an iced sponge 10. There was too much of everything, a schoolboy's tea 11. It was as if the two women, faced with their unknown and most unwelcome visitor, had sought reliev from uncertainty in the provision of this embarrassingly liberal feast12. Mrs Fenton herself seemed surprised at the variety which faced her13. She manoeuvred cups on the tray like an anxious, inexperienced hostess. It was only when Dalgliesh was provided with his tea and sandwich that she spoke again about the murder.

6 : flegmatique
7 : bonne
8 : que tout avait été préparé soigneusement pour lui
9 : qui sortaient du four
10 : gâteau de Savoie glacé
11 : goûter
12 : ce festin si copieux qu'il en était embarrassant
13 : devant ses yeux