CHAPTER SIXTEENCleared for Action
Half an hour later Gamadge found Malcolm, Elena Clayborn and Miss Lorina Nagle helping Roberts clear away in the kitchen. At least Malcolm and Elena were helping him; Elena drying silver, Malcolm—with a dish towel about his middle—carrying plates and glasses into the pantry. Old Roberts stood dazed beside the enormous sink, feebly scouring it.
Miss Nagle sat on a corner of the kitchen table, giving them all what seemed to be a pep talk. Nobody was paying any attention to her, but she did not appear to mind that. When Gamadge came in she talked on, giving him a short nod, but otherwise ignoring his presence.
“That was the old-fashioned way,” she said, “going into crêpe and mourning when you didn’t care anything about the person at all. Who cared about Ga
