ExcerptsfromDeadandGoneDigbydidn’tlookaveryprepossessingcharacter,Thanetthoughtastheydrewnearer
Thegardenercontinuedtoleanagainstthewall,armsfolded,watchingthemwithasardonicexpression
Hehadalonglugubriousfacewithdroopingjowlsandsoftpouchesbeneaththeeyes
Foronewhoworkedoutofdoorshisskinwassurprisinglypasty,thecolourofmoistputty,andhiswispyhairhadbeencarefullycombedacrosshisscalpinanattempttodisguisethefactthattherewaslittleofit
Thanetlongedtobark,sergeant-majorfashion,‘Standupstraightwhenwe’retalkingtoyou
’Insteadhesaidmildly,‘telluswhathappenedthismorning
’‘I’vetoldhimoncealready,’saidDigby,jerkinghisheadatLineham
Themanmanagedtomaketheword‘him’soundlikeaninsult
Welleducated,Thanetthought,withjustatraceofKentishaccent
‘I’dliketohearitformyself
Indetail,please
’Digbysighedandshrugged
‘Suity