Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Kerry Greenwood
a crossbreed, not too big and going to make a good guard dog.
Need a guard dog in St. Kilda, with all them alleyways behind the
houses.’ Constable Collins basked under the affectionate regard
of everyone in the room except Mr. Butler, who instinctively
knew who would walk, brush and care for the new acquisition,
and Phryne, who was conscious of being manipulated. Then
she remembered Hugh’s mention of a parcel.
‘Oh, of course, it’s your birthday next week, Dot dear, isn’t
it? We’ve an appointment with Madame tomorrow, don’t forget,
for your suit. If you really insist on a suit?’
Dot nodded. When offered a handmade garment of her
choice as Phryne’s birthday gift, she admired all the beautiful
evening dresses that Madame Fleuri constructed for the
fattest purses, if not the best figures, in Melbourne. But what
she wanted was a dark brown wool suit made with Madame’s
exquisite tailoring, finish and style. Dot wanted a garment that
she could wear for the rest of her life. Oddly enough Madame,
who was really French, understood this desire. ‘If you still ’ave
this garment, Mademoiselle,’ she told Dot at her first fitting,
‘you can be married in it, and even buried in it in the fullness
of time; and while you ’ave my suit, you will never be without
something respectable to wear.’ Phryne was delighted to see the
Parisian couturière and the lady’s maid smile at one another with
perfect understanding.
However, puppies and constables and handmade suits aside,
there was the case, and Phryne wanted the opinion of her family.
She told the story of the young man dead in the bookshop,
Miss Lee and the prison interview, and the Jewish connection
as seen by everyone involved in the matter, Jack Robinson and
Mr. Abrahams alike. The girls thought about it. Dot leaned
against Hugh Collins, who shyly embraced her. The fire crackled.
The puppy snored faintly in her exhausted sleep. No one
spoke. Then Ruth commented, ‘There are Jewish girls at school.
One of them’s terribly clever—Jane talks to her. Mostly they’re
standoffish, stick together and don’t talk to the gentiles—they’re
all very rich, of course. One of them’s Mr. Abrahams’ niece, I