'
'Miss Emma doesn't want to know, I'll swear,' returned the locksmith.
'I don't know that,' said Dolly; 'but I do, at any rate. Do tell me. Why
is he so secret, and what is this ghost story, which nobody is to tell
Miss Emma, and which seems to be mixed up with his going away? Now I see
you know by your colouring so.'
'What the story means, or is, or has to do with it, I know no more than
you, my dear,' returned the locksmith, 'except that it's some foolish
fear of little Solomon's--which has, indeed, no meaning in it, I
suppose. As to Mr Haredale's journey, he goes, as I believe--'
'Yes,' said Dolly.
'As I believe,' resumed the locksmith, pinching her cheek, 'on business,
Doll. What it may be, is quite another matter. Read Blue Beard, and
don't be too curious, pet; it's no business of yours or mine, depend
upon that; and here's dinner, which is much more to the purpose.'
Dolly might have remonstrated against this summary dismissal of the
subject, notwithstanding the appearance of dinner, but at the mention
of Blue Beard Mrs Varden interposed, protesting she could not find it
in her conscience to sit tamely by, and hear her child recommended to
peruse the adventures of a Turk and Mussulman--far less of a fabulous
Turk, which she considered that potentate to be.
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