Next to a Dog: An Agatha Christie Short Story. Агата Кристи

Terry darling, I’m so tired.’

      ‘Now then, miss,’ said a tart voice behind her. ‘If you’ll give over hugging and kissing that dog, here’s a cup of nice hot tea for you.’

      ‘Oh! Mrs Barnes, how good of you.’

      Joyce scrambled to her feet. Mrs Barnes was a big, formidable-looking woman. Beneath the exterior of a dragon she concealed an unexpectedly warm heart.

      ‘A cup of hot tea never did anyone any harm,’ enunciated Mrs Barnes, voicing the universal sentiment of her class.