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Joe Willet, or his ghost? said Varden, rising from the desk at which he was busy with his books, and looking at him under his spectacles. Which is it? Joe in the flesh, eh? Thats hearty. And how are all the Chigwell company, Joe? Much as usual, sirthey and I agree as well as ever. Well, well! said the locksmith. We must be patient, Joe, and bear with old folks foibles. Hows the mare, Joe? Does she do the four miles an hour as easily as ever? Ha, ha, ha! Does she, Joe? Eh!What have we there, Joea nosegay! A very poor one, sirI thought Miss Dolly No, no, said Gabriel, dropping his voice, and shaking his head, not Dolly. Give em to her mother, Joe. A great deal better give em to her mother. Would you mind giving em to Mrs Varden, Joe? Oh no, sir, Joe replied, and endeavouring, but not with the greatest possible success, to hide his disappointment. I shall be very glad, Im sure. Thats right, said the locksmith, patting him on the back. It dont matter who has em, Joe? Not a bit, sir.Dear heart, how the words stuck in his throat! Come in, said Gabriel. I have just been called to tea. Shes in the parlour. She, thought Joe. Which of em I wonderMrs or Miss? The locksmith settled the doubt as neatly as if it had been expressed aloud, by leading him to the door, and saying, Martha, my dear, heres young Mr Willet. Now, Mrs Varden, regarding the Maypole as a sort of human mantrap, or decoy for husbands; viewing its proprietor, and all who aided and abetted him, in the light of so many poachers among Christian men; and believing, moreover, that the publicans coupled with sinners in Holy Writ were veritable licensed victuallers; was far from being favourably disposed towards her visitor. Wherefore she was taken faint directly; and being duly presented with the crocuses and snowdrops, divined on further consideration that they were the occasion of the languor which had seized upon her spirits. Im afraid I couldnt bear the room another minute, said the good lady, if they remained here. Would you excuse my putting them out of window? Joe begged she wouldnt mention it on any account, and smiled feebly as he saw them deposited on the sill outside. If anybody could have known the pains he had taken to make up that despised and misused bunch of flowers! I feel it quite a relief to get rid of them, I assure you, said Mrs Varden. Im better already. And indeed she did appear to have plucked up her spirits. Joe expressed his gratitude to Providence for this favourable dispensation, and tried to look as if he didnt wonder where Dolly was. Youre sad people at Chigwell, Mr Joseph, said Mrs V. I hope not, maam, returned Joe. Youre the cruellest and most inconsiderate people in the world, said Mrs Varden, bridling. I wonder old Mr Willet, having been a married man himself, doesnt know better than to conduct himself as he does. His doing it for profit is no excuse. I would rather pay the money twenty times over, and have Varden come home like a respectable and sober tradesman. If there is one character, said Mrs Varden with great emphasis, that offends and disgusts me more than another, it is a sot. |
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