'I'm 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 didn't wonder where Dolly was.
'You're sad people at Chigwell, Mr Joseph,' said Mrs V.
'I hope not, ma'am,' returned Joe.
'You're the cruellest and most inconsiderate people in the world,' said
Mrs Varden, bridling. 'I wonder old Mr Willet, having been a married
man himself, doesn't 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.'
'Come, Martha, my dear,' said the locksmith cheerily, 'let us have tea,
and don't let us talk about sots. There are none here, and Joe don't
want to hear about them, I dare say.'
At this crisis, Miggs appeared with toast.
'I dare say he does not,' said Mrs Varden; 'and I dare say you do not,
Varden. It's a very unpleasant subject, I have no doubt, though I
won't say it's personal'--Miggs coughed--'whatever I may be forced to
think'--Miggs sneezed expressively.
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