SPILLS
You may be missing a lot of valuable information if you do not read murder mysteries.
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For instance, until last week, I did not know what a “spill vase” ”is” or “”was.” Imagine not knowing that!
Just think of going through the rest of my years without knowing what a “spill vase” might have been or is? I cringe a bit when I think of such a shameful situation but I do wish to listen and to learn.
I came to count this knowledge as a new wrinkle in my brain with the guidance of one Agatha Christie who wrote a novel called “The Affair at Styles” some years ago which I have just got around to reading.
Periot - her wondeful little Belgian detective character - in his usual confusing logical logic makes quite a point of tearing up a document that is essential to the plot. I find out later that he has hidden the shreds in a Spill Vase in the living room of the manor house where the murder took place.
Clumsy as I am, I can make any vase become a vase that spills.
The dictionary defines a vase as being a container made to hold flowers and water.” In all fairness to the Noah who fashioned the dictionary , he does not append any limitations with control of the word "vase". It is conceivable, then, that such a vase might contain other items as well, or instead of. Right?
Having determined what a vase is - what, then, is a "spill?
I turned to the big, desk dictionary and well down list I found it. A spill is the same as a wooden splinter, or twisted bits of paper kept near a fireplace for use to light pipes or candles. Oh, those disciples of Noah are a knowledgeble breed, aren't they?
Now that I have found that out what he meant, I was back on track with Mr. Periot and could see where I thought he was leading me, which turned out to be somewhere else than where I had in mind.
But I learned what a spill vase is. Now, where else could I have acquired such a piece of information, I ask you? Now, alI have to do is find a fresh murder in a manor house and have need to hide a document. A spill vase would be the perfect place.
It would be safe there. So few people would know where to look.
A.L.M. January 24, 2003 [c423wds]
