Unnatural Death · Chapter
X: The Will Again explained
Lord Peter Wimsey and Mr.
What happens
Lord Peter Wimsey and Mr. Murbles meet Mrs. Cropper, the sister of the deceased Bertha Gotobed, upon her return from Canada. They question her about her sister's past employment with Mary Whittaker, uncovering a hidden quarrel between Miss Whittaker and her aunt Agatha Dawson over a typewritten document. Mrs. Cropper reveals that she and Bertha were dismissed shortly after the incident, and that Miss Whittaker helped them find jobs in London. During the meeting, Mrs. Cropper spots a woman resembling Mary Whittaker at the station, prompting Lord Peter to give chase.
Themes in this chapter
Inheritance and Motive
The quarrel over a typewritten document hints at a possible motive related to Agatha Dawson's will or inheritance.
Psychological Manipulation
Mary Whittaker's dismissal of the maids and her efforts to silence them about the quarrel suggest manipulative behavior to control the narrative.
Characters to notice
- Lord Peter Wimsey
Interviews Mrs. Cropper alongside Mr. Murbles; notices her spotting a woman at the station and pursues her.
- Mr. Murbles
Accompanies Lord Peter to meet Mrs. Cropper; conducts the questioning about the quarrel and dismissal.
- Mrs. Cropper
Returns from Canada after learning of her sister's death; provides key testimony about the quarrel between Mary Whittaker and Agatha Dawson.
- Mary Whittaker
Mentioned as the former employer who dismissed the maids after a quarrel; possibly spotted at the station by Mrs. Cropper.
- Agatha Dawson
Deceased; the quarrel involved her distress over a typewritten document and her subsequent illness.
- Bertha Gotobed
Deceased sister of Mrs. Cropper; former maid who was dismissed along with her sister.
Key passages
“I said to Bertha—but she would hear nothing of it, taking after her father as I tell you—I said, 'Mark my words,' I said, 'Miss Whittaker don't care to have us in the house after the row she had with the old lady.'”
Mrs. Cropper told Bertha that Miss Whittaker wanted them gone because of the argument with Agatha Dawson, but Bertha was too trusting to believe it.
Highlights Mrs. Cropper's suspicion that the dismissal was motivated by the quarrel.
“And she says, 'Better not say anything about this to anybody, because when the pain comes on Aunt gets frightened and talks a bit wild. She don't mean what she says, but if people was to hear about it they might think it odd.'”
Mary Whittaker instructed the maids to keep quiet about the incident, claiming her aunt's words were not to be taken seriously.
Shows Mary Whittaker's attempt to suppress information about the quarrel.