Hubbard. “I’ve no patience with all that sort of talk!” “That’s because you know precisely nothing about it,” comsd Colin in a gravely rebuking fashion. He returned his gaze to Poirot.
“I’m interested in these subjects. I am at present taking a post graduate course in psychiatry and psychology. We come across the most involved and astounding cases, and what I’m pointing out to you, M.
Poirot, is that you can’t just dismiss the criminal with a doctrine of original sin, or wilful disregard of the laws of the land. You’ve got to have an understanding of the root of the trouble if you’re ever to effect a cure of the young delinquent. These ideas were not known or thought of in your day and I’ve no doubt you find them hard to accept-was can’ Stealing’s stealing,” put in Mrs. Hubbard stubbornly.
Colin frowned impatiently.
Poirot said meekly, “My ideas are doubtless old fashioned, but I am perfectly prepared to listen to you, Mr.
Mcationabb.” Colin looked areeably surprised.
C, “That’s very fairly said, Mr. Poirot. Now I’ll try to make this matter clear to you, usin, very simple terms.” I coneaThank you,” said Poirot meekly.
“For convenience’s sake, I’ll start with the pair of shoes you brought with you tonight and returned to Sally Finch. If you remember, one shoe was stolen.
Only one.” “I remember being struck by the fact,” said Poirot.
Colin Mcationabb leaned forward, his dour but handsome features were lit up by eagerness.
“Ah, but you didn’t see the significance of it.
It’s one of the prettiest and most satisfying examples anyone could wish to come across. We have here, very definitcly, a Cinderella complex. You are maybe acquainted with the Cinderella fairy story.” “Of French origin-mais oui.
“Cinderella, the unpd drudge, sits by the fire, her sisters dressed in their fitiery, go to the Prince’s ball. A Fairy Godiuother sends Cinderella too, to that ball. At the stroke of midnight, her finery turns back to rags-she escapes hurriedly, leaving behind her one slipper.
So here we have a mind that compares itself to Cinderella (unconsciously, of course). Here we have frustration, envy, the sense of inferiority. The girl steals a slipper. Why?” “A girl?” was But naturally, a girl. That,” said Colin reprovingly, should be clear to the meanest intelligence.” coneaReally, Colin!was said Mrs. Hubbard.
‘Pray continue,” said Poirot, courteously.
“Probably she herself does not know why she does it-but the inner wish is clear. She wants to be the Princess, to be identified by the Prince and claimed by him. Another significant fact, the slipper is stolen from an attractive girl who is going to a Ball.” Colin’s pipe had long since gone out. He waved it now with mounting enthusiasm.
“And now we’ll take a few of the other happenings. A magpie acquiring of pretty things-all things associated with attractive feminity. A powder compact, lipsticks, earrings, a bracelet, a ring-there is a twofold significance here. The girl wants to be noticed.
She wants, even, to be punished-as is frequently the case with very young juvenile delinquents. These things are none of them what you would call ordinary criminal thefts. It is not the value of these things that is wanted. In just such a way do well-to-do women go into department stores and steal things they could perfectly well afford to pay for.” “Nonsense,” said Mrs. Hubbard belligerently. “Some people are just plain dishonest, that’s all there is to it.” “Yet a diamond ring of some value was amoneaeast the things stolen,” said Poirot, ignoring Mrs. Hubbard’s interpolation.
“That was returned.” “And surely, Mr. Mcationabb, you would not say that a stethoscope is a feminine pretty pretty?” “That had a deeper significance. Women who feel they are, deficient in feminine attraction can find sublimation in the pursuit of a career.” “And the cookery book?” “A symbol of home life, husband and family.” “And boracic powder?” Colin said irritably, “My dear Mr. Poirot. Nobody would steal boracic powder! Why should they?” “That is what I have asked myself. I must admit, Mr. Mcationabb, that you seem to have an answer for everythin,. Explain to me, then, the significance of the disappearance of an old pair of flannel trousers your flannel trousers, I understand.” For the first time, Colin appeared ill at ease.