'
'She,' thought Joe. 'Which of 'em I wonder--Mrs 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, here's 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. 'I'm afraid I couldn't 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 wouldn't 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.
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