The Lodger Read Online Free PDF

ten sovereigns here," he said suddenly.
      "Yes, the gentleman said I'd have to buy some things
for him to-morrow. And, oh, Bunting, he's so well spoken, I really
felt that - I really felt that - " and then Mrs. Bunting, taking a
step or two sideways, sat down, and throwing her little black apron
over her face burst into gasping sobs.
      Bunting patted her back timidly. "Ellen?" he said,
much moved by her agitation, "Ellen? Don't take on so, my dear -
"
      "I won't," she sobbed, "I - I won't! I'm a fool - I
know I am! But, oh, I didn't think we was ever going to have any
luck again!"
      And then she told him - or rather tried to tell him
- what the lodger was like. Mrs. Bunting was no hand at talking,
but one thing she did impress on her husband's mind, namely, that
Mr. Sleuth was eccentric, as so many clever people are eccentric -
that is, in a harmless way - and that he must be humoured.
      "He says he doesn't want to be waited on much," she
said at last wiping her eyes, "but I can see he will want a good
bit of looking after, all the same, poor gentleman."
      And just as the words left her mouth there came the
unfamiliar sound of a loud ring. It was that of the drawing-room
bell being pulled again and again.
      Bunting looked at his wife eagerly. "I think I'd
better go up, eh, Ellen?" he said. He felt quite anxious to see
their new lodger. For the matter of that, it would be a relief to
be doing something again.
      "Yes," she answered, "you go up! Don't keep him
waiting! I wonder what it is he wants? I said I'd let him know when
his supper was ready."
      A moment later Bunting came down again. There was an
odd smile on his face. "Whatever d'you think he wanted?" he
whispered mysteriously. And as she said nothing, he went on, "He's
asked me for the loan of a Bible!"
      "Well, I don't see anything so out of the way in
that," she said hastily, "'specially if he don't fell well. I'll
take it up to him."
      And then going to a small table which stood between
the two windows, Mrs. Bunting took off it a large Bible, which had
been given to her as a wedding present by a married lady with whose
mother she had lived for several years.
      "He said it would do quite well when you take up his
supper," said Bunting; and, then, "Ellen? He's a queer-looking cove
- not like any gentleman I ever had to do with."
      "He is a gentleman," said Mrs. Bunting rather
fiercely.
      "Oh, yes, that's all right." But still he looked at
her doubtfully. "I asked him if he'd like me to just put away his
clothes. But, Ellen, he said he hadn't got any clothes!"
      "No more he hasn't;" she spoke quickly, defensively.
"He had the misfortune to lose his luggage. He's one dishonest folk
'ud take advantage of."
      "Yes, one can see that with half an eye," Buntlng
agreed.
      And then there was silence for a few moments, while
Mrs. Bunting put down on a little bit of paper the things she
wanted her husband to go out and buy for her. She handed him the
list, together with a sovereign. "Be as quick as you can," she
said, "for I feel a bit hungry. I'll be going down now to see about
Mr. Sleuth's supper. He only wants a glass of milk and two eggs.
I'm glad I've never fallen to bad eggs!"
      "Sleuth," echoed Bunting, staring at her. "What a
queer name! How d'you spell it - S-l-u-t-h?"
      "No," she shot out, "S-l-e - u - t - h."
      "Oh,'' he said doubtfully. "He said, 'Think of a
hound and you'll never forget my name,'" and Mrs. Bunting
smiled.
      When he got to the door, Bunting turned round:
"We'll now be able to pay young Chandler back some o' that thirty
shillings. I am glad." She nodded; her heart, as the saying is, too
full for words.
      And then each went about his and her business -
Bunting out into the drenching fog, his wife down to her cold
kitchen.
      The lodger's tray was soon ready; everything upon it
nicely and daintily arranged. Mrs. Bunting knew how to wait upon a
gentleman.
      Just as the landlady was