You might suppose,' said Mrs Varden, frowning at her husband, 'from Varden's sitting there so glum and silent, that he objected to this arrangement; but you must not mind that, sir, if you please.

It's his way at home.

Out of doors, he can be cheerful and talkative enough.' Now, the fact was, that the unfortunate locksmith, blessing his stars to find his helpmate in such good humour, had been sitting with a beaming face, hearing this discourse with a joy past all expression.

Wherefore this sudden attack quite took him by surprise.
'My dear Martha--' he said.
'Oh yes, I dare say,' interrupted Mrs Varden, with a smile of mingled scorn and pleasantry.

'Very dear! We all know that.' 'No, but my good soul,' said Gabriel, 'you are quite mistaken.