'No.' She had moved a pace or two towards the bed, but stopped immediately, and went no farther.
'No,' he repeated, with a petulant emphasis.

'Why do you ask me?
If I had called you, what need for such a question ?' 'It was the creaking of the sign outside, sir, I dare say,' observed the landlady; a suggestion by the way (as she felt a moment after she had made it), not at all complimentary to the voice of the old gentleman.
'No matter what, ma'am,' he rejoined: 'it wasn't I.Why how you stand there, Mary, as if I had the plague! But they're all afraid of me,' he added, leaning helplessly backward on his pillow; 'even she! There is a curse upon me.

What else have I to look for ?' 'Oh dear, no.

Oh no, I'm sure,' said the good-tempered landlady, rising, and going towards him.

'Be of better cheer, sir.