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Then； stepping into his extended hand； and condescending to be
held out at arm’s length； he gave vent to a succession of sounds；
not unlike the drawing of some eight or ten dozen of long corks；
and again asserted his brimstone birth and parentage with great
distinctness。
The locksmith shook his head—perhaps in some doubt of the
creature’s being really nothing but a bird—perhaps in pity for
Barnaby； who by this time had him in his arms； and was rolling
about； with him； on the ground。 As he raised his eyes from the
poor fellow he encountered those of his mother； who had entered
the room； and was looking on in silence。
She was quite white in the face； even to her lips； but had wholly
subdued her emotion； and wore her usual quiet look。 Varden
fancied as he glanced at her that she shrunk from his eye； and that
she busied herself about the wounded gentleman to avoid him the
better。
It was time he went to bed； she said。 He was to be removed to
his own home on the morrow； and he had already exceeded his
time for sitting up； by a full hour。 Acting on this hint； the locksmith
prepared to take his leave。
‘By the bye；’ said Edward； as he shook him by the hand； and
looked from him to Mrs Rudge and back again； ‘what noise was
that below？ I heard your voice in the midst of it； and should have
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inquired before； but our other conversation drove it from my
memory。 What was it？’
The locksmith looked towards her； and bit his lip。 She leant
against the chair； and bent her eyes upon the ground。 Barnaby
too—he was listening。
—‘Some mad or drunken fellow； sir；’ Varden at length made
answer； looking steadily at the widow as he spoke。 ‘He mistook the
house； and tried to force an entrance。’
She breathed more freely； but stood quite motionless。 As the
locksmith said ‘Good night；’ and Barnaby caught up the candle to
light him down the stairs； she took it from him； and charged him—
with more haste and earnestness than so slight an occasion
appeared to warrant—not to stir。 The raven followed them to
satisfy himself that all was right below； and when they reached the
street…door； stood on the bottom stair drawing corks out of
number。
With a trembling hand she unfastened the chain and bolts； and
turned the key。 As she had her hand upon the latch； the locksmith
said in a low voice；
‘I have told a lie to…night； for your sake； Mary； and for the sake
of bygone times and old acquaintance； when I would scorn to do so
for my own。 I hope I may have done no harm； or led to none。 I
can’t help the suspicions you have forced upon me； and I am loth； I
tell you plainly； to leave Mr Edward here。 Take care he comes to
no hurt。 I doubt the safety of this roof； and am glad he leaves it so
soon。 Now； let me go。’
For a moment she hid her face in her hands and wept； but
resisting the strong impulse which evidently moved her to reply；
opened the door—no wider than was sufficient for the passage of
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his body—and motioned him away。 As the locksmith stood upon
the step； it was chained and locked behind him； and the raven； in
furtherance of these precautions； barked like a lusty house…dog。
‘In league with that ill…looking figure that might have fallen
from a gibbet—he listening and hiding here—Barnaby first upon
the spot last night—can she who has always borne so fair a name
be guilty of such crimes in secret！’ said the locksmith； musing。
‘Heaven forgive me if I am wrong； and send me just thoughts； but
she is poor； the temptation may be great； and we daily hear of
things as strange。—Ay； bark away； my friend。 If there’s any
wickedness going on； that raven’s in it； I’ll be sworn。’
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Chapter 7
rs Varden was a lady of what is commonly called an
uncertain temper—a phrase which being interpreted
M
signifies a temper tolerably certain to make everybody
more or less uncomfortable。 Thus it generally happened； that
when other people were merry； Mrs Varden was dull； and that
when other people were dull； Mrs Varden was disposed to be
amazingly cheerful。 Indeed the worthy housewife was of such a
capricious nature； that she not only attained a higher pitch of
genius than Macbeth； in respect of her ability to be wise； amazed；
temperate and furious； loyal and neutral in an instant； but would
sometimes ring the changes backwards and forwards on all
possible moods and flights in one short quarter of an hour；
performing； as it were； a kind of triple bob major on the peal of
instruments in the female belfry； with a skilfulness and rapidity of
execution that astonished all who heard her。
It had been observed in this good lady （who did not want for
personal attractions； being plump and buxom to look at； though
like her fair daughter； somewhat short in stature） that this
uncertainty of disposition strengthened and increased with her
temporal prosperity； and divers wise men and matrons； on
friendly terms with the locksmith and his family； even went so far
as to assert； that a tumble down some half…dozen rounds in the
world’s ladder—such as the breaking of the bank in which her
husband kept his money； or some little fall of that kind—would be
the making of her； and could hardly fail to render her one of the
most agreeable companions in existence