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nothing to lose。 But I’d as lief knock them at head as any other
men。 How many are there？’
‘Only one；’ said Dolly faintly； for everybody looked at her。
‘And what was he like； mistress？’ said Hugh with a glance at
young Willet； so slight and momentary that the scowl it conveyed
was lost on all but her。 ‘About my height？’
‘Not—not so tall；’ Dolly replied； scarce knowing what she said。
‘His dress；’ said Hugh； looking at her keenly； ‘like—like any of
ours now？ I know all the people hereabouts； and maybe could give
a guess at the man； if I had anything to guide me。’
Dolly faltered and turned paler yet； then answered that he was
wrapped in a loose coat and had his face hidden by a handkerchief
and that she could give no other description of him。
‘You wouldn’t know him if you saw him then； belike？’ said
Hugh with a malicious grin。
‘I should not；’ answered Dolly； bursting into tears again。 ‘I don’t
wish to see him。 I can’t bear to think of him。 I can’t talk about him
any more。 Don’t go to look for these things； Mr Joe； pray don’t。 I
entreat you not to go with that man。’
‘Not to go with me！’ cried Hugh。 ‘I’m too rough for them all。
They’re all afraid of me。 Why； bless you mistress； I’ve the
tenderest heart alive。 I love all the ladies； ma’am；’ said Hugh；
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turning to the locksmith’s wife。
Mrs Varden opined that if he did； he ought to be ashamed of
himself； such sentiments being more consistent （so she argued）
with a benighted Mussulman or wild Islander than with a stanch
Protestant。 Arguing from this imperfect state of his morals； Mrs
Varden further opined that he had never studied the Manual。
Hugh admitting that he never had； and moreover that he couldn’t
read； Mrs Varden declared with much severity； that he ought to he
even more ashamed of himself than before； and strongly
recommended him to save up his pocket…money for the purchase
of one； and further to teach himself the contents with all
convenient diligence。 She was still pursuing this train of discourse；
when Hugh； somewhat unceremoniously and irreverently；
followed his young master out； and left her to edify the rest of the
company。 This she proceeded to do； and finding that Mr Willet’s
eyes were fixed upon her with an appearance of deep attention；
gradually addressed the whole of her discourse to him； whom she
entertained with a moral and theological lecture of considerable
length； in the conviction that great workings were taking place in
his spirit。 The simple truth was； however； that Mr Willet； although
his eyes were wide open and he saw a woman before him whose
head by long and steady looking at seemed to grow bigger and
bigger until it filled the whole bar； was to all other intents and
purposes fast asleep； and so sat leaning back in his chair with his
hands in his pockets until his son’s return caused him to wake up
with a deep sigh； and a faint impression that he had been
dreaming about pickled pork and greens—a vision of his slumbers
which was no doubt referable to the circumstance of Mrs Varden’s
having frequently pronounced the word ‘Grace’ with much
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Barnaby Rudge 240
emphasis； which word； entering the portals of Mr Willet’s brain as
they stood ajar； and coupling itself with the words ‘before meat；’
which were there ranging about； did in time suggest a particular
kind of meat together with that description of vegetable which is
usually its companion。
The search was wholly unsuccessful。 Joe had groped along the
path a dozen times； and among the grass； and in the dry ditch； and
in the hedge； but all in vain。 Dolly； who was quite inconsolable for
her loss； wrote a note to Miss Haredale giving her the same
account of it that she had given at the Maypole； which Joe
undertook to deliver as soon as the family were stirring next day。
That done； they sat down to tea in the bar； where there was an
uncommon display of buttered toast； and—in order that they
might not grow faint for want of sustenance； and might have a
decent halting…place or halfway house between dinner and
supper—a few savoury trifles in the shape of great rashers of
broiled ham； which being well cured； done to a turn； and smoking
hot； sent forth a tempting and delicious fragrance。
Mrs Varden was seldom very Protestant at meals； unless it
happened that they were underdone； or overdone； or indeed that
anything occurred to put her out of humour。 Her spirits rose
considerably on beholding these goodly preparations； and from
the nothingness of good works； she passed to the somethingness of
ham and toast with great cheerfulness。 Nay； under the influence of
these wholesome stimulants； she sharply reproved her daughter
for being low and despondent （which she considered an
unacceptable frame of mind）； and remarked； as she held her own
plate for a fresh supply； that it would be well for Dolly； who pined
over the loss of a toy and a sheet of paper； if she would reflect
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upon the voluntary sacrifices of the missionaries in foreign parts
who lived chiefly on salads。
The proceedings of such a day occasion various fluctuations in
the human thermometer； and especially in instruments so
sensitively and delicately constructed as Mrs Varden。 Thus； at
dinner Mrs V。 stood at summer heat； genial； smiling； and
delightful。 After dinner； in the sunshine of the wine； she went up
at least half…a…dozen degrees； and was perfectly enchantin