A Fairy in the Flat/A Pot of Tea: An Agatha Christie Short Story. Agatha Christie

brown, lean man, terrifically strong, the kind of man who can ride anything and lassoes wild horses –’

      ‘Complete with sheepskin trousers and a cowboy hat,’ interpolated Tommy sarcastically.

      ‘– and has lived in the Wilds,’ continued Tuppence. ‘I should like him to fall simply madly in love with me. I should, of course, rebuff him virtuously and be true to my marriage vows, but my heart would secretly go out to him.’

      ‘Well,’ said Tommy, ‘I often wish that I may meet a really beautiful girl. A girl with corn coloured hair who will fall desperately in love with me. Only I don’t think I rebuff her – in fact I am quite sure I don’t.’

      ‘That,’ said Tuppence, ‘is naughty temper.’

      ‘What,’ said Tommy, ‘is really the matter with you, Tuppence? You have never talked like this before.’

      ‘No, but I have been boiling up inside for a long time,’ said Tuppence. ‘You see it is very dangerous to have everything you want – including enough money to buy things. Of course there are always hats.’