Practicalandsubtleinherway，shebroughtStevietothefrontwithoutlossoftime，becauseinherthesinglenessofpurposehadtheunerringnatureandtheforceofaninstinct。
`WhatIamgoingtodotocheerupthatboyforthefirstfewdaysI’msureIdon’tknow。He’llbeworryinghimselffrommorningtillnightbeforehegetsusedtomotherbeingaway。Andhe’ssuchagoodboy。Icouldn’tdowithouthim。’
MrVerlocwentondivestinghimselfofhisclothingwiththeunnoticinginwardconcentrationofamanundressinginthesolitudeofavastandhopelessdesert。Forthusinhospitablydidthisfairearth，ourcommoninheritance，presentitselftothementalvisionofMrVerloc。Allwassostillwithoutandwithinthatthelonelytickingoftheclockonthelandingstoleintotheroomasifforthesakeofcompany。
MrVerloc，gettingintobedonhisownside，remainedproneandmutebehindMrsVerloc’sback。Histhickarmsrestedabandonedontheoutsideofthecounterpanelikedroppedweapons，likediscardedtools。Atthatmomenthewaswithinahair’sbreadthofmakingacleanbreastofitalltohiswife。Themomentseemedpropitious。Lookingoutofthecornersofhiseyes，hesawherampleshouldersdrapedinwhite，thebackofherhead，withthehairdoneforthenightinthreeplaitstiedupwithblacktapesattheends。Andheforbore。MrVerloclovedhiswifeasawifeshouldbeloved—thatis，maritally，withtheregardonehasforone’schiefpossession。Thisheadarrangedforthenight，thoseampleshoulders，hadanaspectoffamiliarsacredness—thesacrednessofdomesticpeace。Shemovednot，massiveandshapelesslikearecumbentstatueintherough;
herememberedherwide—openeyeslookingintotheemptyroom。Shewasmysterious，withthemysteriousnessoflivingbeings。Thefar—famedsecretagentΔ
ofthelateBaronStott—Wartenheim’salarmistdispatcheswasnotthemantobreakintosuchmysteries。Hewaseasilyintimidated。Andhewasalsoindolent，withtheindolencewhichissooftenthesecretofgoodnature。
Heforboretouchingthatmysteryoutoflove，timidity，andindolence。
Therewouldbealwaystimeenough。Forseveralminutesheborehissufferingssilentlyinthedrowsysilenceoftheroom。Andthenhedisturbeditbyaresolutedeclaration。
`IamgoingontheContinenttomorrow。’
Hiswifemighthavefallenasleepalready。Hecouldnottell。Asamatteroffact，MrsVerlochadheardhim。Hereyesremainedverywideopen，andshelayverystill，confirmedinherinstinctiveconvictionthatthingsdon’tbearlookingintoverymuch。AndyetitwasnothingveryunusualforMrVerloctotakesuchatrip。HerenewedhisstockfromParisandBrussels。Oftenhewentovertomakehispurchasespersonally。AlittleselectconnectionofamateurswasformingaroundtheshopinBrettStreet，asecretconnectioneminentlyproperforanybusinessundertakenbyMrVerloc，who，byamysticaccordoftemperamentandnecessity，hadbeensetaparttobeasecretagentallhislife。
Hewaitedforawhile，thenadded:`I’llbeawayaweekorperhapsafortnight。GetMrsNealetocomefortheday。’
MrsNealewasthecharwomanofBrettStreet。Victimofhermarriagewithadebauchedjoiner，shewasoppressedbytheneedsofmanyinfantchildren。Red—armed，andapronedincoarsesackinguptothearmpits，sheexhaledtheanguishofthepoorinabreathofsoap—sudsandrum，intheuproarofscrubbing，intheclatteroftinpails。
MrsVerloc，fullofdeeppurpose，spokeinthetoneoftheshallowestindifference。
`Thereisnoneedtohavethewomanhereallday。IshalldoverywellwithStevie。’
Sheletthelonelyclockonthelandingcountofffifteenticksintotheabyssofeternity，andasked:
`ShallIputthelightout？’
MrVerlocsnappedathiswifehuskily。
`Putitout。’
CONRAD:TheSecretAgent，Chapter9CHAPTER9
MrVerloc，returningfromtheContinentattheendoftendays，broughtbackamindevidentlyunrefreshedbythewondersofforeigntravelandacountenanceunlightedbythejoysofhomecoming。Heenteredintheclatteroftheshop—bellwithanairofsombreandvexedexhaustion。Hisbaginhand，hisheadlowered，hestrodestraightbehindthecounter，andlethimselffallintothechair，asthoughhehadtrampedallthewayfromDover。Itwasearlymorning。Stevie，dustingvariousobjectsdisplayedinthefrontwindows，turnedtogapeathimwithreverenceandawe。
`Here！’saidMrVerloc，givingaslightkicktothegladstonebagonthefloor;andStevieflunghimselfuponit，seizedit，boreitoffwithtriumphantdevotion。HewassopromptthatMrVerlocwasdistinctlysurprised。
Alreadyattheclatteroftheshop—bellMrsNeale，blackleadingtheparlourgrate，hadlookedthroughthedoor，andrisingfromherkneeshadgone，aproned，andgrimywitheverlastingtoil，totellMrsVerlocinthekitchenthat`therewasthemastercomeback’。
Winniecamenofartherthantheinnershopdoor。`You’llwantsomebreakfast，’
shesaidfromadistance。MrVerlocmovedhishandsslightly，asifovercomebyanimpossiblesuggestion。Butonceenticedintotheparlourhedidnotrejectthefoodsetbeforehim。Heateasifinapublicplace，hishatpushedoffhisforehead，theskirtsofhisheavyovercoathanginginatriangleoneachsideofthechair。AndacrossthelengthofthetablecoveredwithbrownoilclothWinnie，hiswife，talkedevenlyathimthewifelytalk，asartfullyadapted，nodoubt，tothecircumstancesofthisreturnasthetalkofPenelopetothereturnofthewanderingOdysseus。
MrsVerloc，however，haddonenoweavingduringherhusband’sabsence。
Butshehadhadalltheupstairsroomscleanedthoroughly，hadsoldsomewares，hadseenMrMichaelisseveraltimes。Hehadtoldherthelasttimethathewasgoingawaytoliveinacottageinthecountry，somewhereontheLondon，Chatham，andDoverline。KarlYundthadcome，too，onceledunderthearmbythat`wickedoldhouse—keeperofhis’。Hewasa`disgustingoldman’。OfComradeOssipon，whomshehadreceivedcurtly，entrenchedbehindthecounterwithastonyfaceandafar—awaygaze，shesaidnothing，hermentalreferencetotherobustanarchistbeingmarkedbyashortpause，withthefaintestpossibleblush。AndbringinginherbrotherStevieassoonasshecouldintothecurrentofdomesticevents，shementionedthattheboyhadmopedagooddeal。
`It’sallalongofmotherleavinguslikethis。’
MrVerlocneithersaid`Damn！’noryet`Steviebehanged！’AndMrsVerloc，notletintothesecretofhisthoughts，failedtoappreciatethegenerosityofthisrestraint。
`Itisn’tthathedoesn’tworkaswellasever，’shecontinued。`He’sbeenmakinghimselfveryuseful。You’dthinkhecouldn’tdoenoughforus。’
MrVerlocdirectedacasualandsomnolentglanceatStevie，whosatonhisright，delicate，pale—faced，hisrosymouthopenvacantly。Itwasnotacriticalglance。Ithadnointention。AndifMrVerlocthoughtforamomentthathiswife’sbrotherlookeduncommonlyuseless，itwasonlyadullandfleetingthought，devoidofthatforceanddurabilitywhichenablessometimesathoughttomovetheworld。Leaningback，MrVerlocuncoveredhishead。BeforehisextendedarmcouldputdownthehatSteviepounceduponit，andboreitoffreverentlyintothekitchen。AndagainMrVerlocwassurprised。
`Youcoulddoanythingwiththatboy，Adolf，’MrsVerlocsaid，withherbestairofinflexiblecalmness。`Hewouldgothroughfireforyou。
He——’
Shepausedattentive，herearturnedtowardsthedoorofthekitchen。
ThereMrsNealewasscrubbingthefloor。AtStevie’sappearanceshegroanedlamentably，havingobservedthathecouldbeinducedeasilytobestowforthebenefitofherinfantchildrentheshillinghissisterWinniepresentedhimwithfromtimetotime。Onallfoursamongstthepuddles，wetandbegrimed，likeasortofamphibiousanddomesticanimallivinginashbinsanddirtywater，sheutteredtheusualexordium;`It’sallverywellforyou，keptdoingnothing，likeagentleman。’Andshefolloweditwiththeeverlastingplaintofthepoor，patheticallymendacious，miserablyauthenticatedbythehorriblebreathofcheaprumandsoap—suds。Shescrubbedhard，snufflingallthetime，andtalkingvolubly。Andshewassincere。
Andoneachsideofherthinrednoseherbleared，mistyeyesswamintears，becauseshefeltreallythewantofsomesortofstimulantinthemorning。
IntheparlourMrsVerlocobserved，withknowledge:
`There’sMrsNealeatitagainwithherharrowingtalesaboutherlittlechildren。Theycan’tbeallsolittleasshemakesthemout。Someofthemmustbebigenoughbynowtotrytodosomethingforthemselves。ItonlymakesStevieangry。’
Thesewordswereconfirmedbyathudasofafiststrikingthekitchentable。InthenormalevolutionofhissympathySteviehadbecomeangryondiscoveringthathehadnoshillinginhispocket。InhisinabilitytorelieveatonceMrsNeale’s`little’uns’privations，hefeltthatsomebodyshouldbemadetosufferforit。MrsVerlocroseandwentintothekitchento`stopthatnonsense’。Andshediditfirmlybutgently。ShewaswellawarethatdirectlyMrsNealereceivedhermoneyshewentroundthecornertodrinkardentspiritsinameanandmustypublic—house—theunavoidablestationontheviadolorosaofherlife。MrsVerloc’scommentuponthispracticehadanunexpectedprofundity，ascomingfromapersondisinclinedtolookunderthesurfaceofthings。`Ofcourse，whatisshetodotokeepup？IfIwerelikeMrsNealeIexpectIwouldn’tactanydifferent。’
Intheafternoonofthesameday，asMrVerloc，comingwithastartoutofthelastofalongseriesofdozesbeforetheparlourfire，declaredhisintentionofgoingoutforawalk，Winniesaidfromtheshop:
`Iwishyouwouldtakethatboyoutwithyou，Adolf。’
ForthethirdtimethatdayMrVerlocwassurprised。Hestaredstupidlyathiswife。Shecontinuedinhersteadymanner。Theboy，wheneverhewasnotdoinganything，mopedinthehouse。Itmadeheruneasy;itmadehernervous，sheconfessed。AndthatfromthecalmWinniesoundedlikeexaggeration。
Butintruth，Steviemopedinthestrikingfashionofanunhappydomesticanimal。Hewouldgouponthedarklanding，tositontheflooratthefootofthetallclock，withhiskneesdrawnupandhisheadinhishands。
Tocomeuponhispallidface，withitsbigeyesgleaminginthedusk，wasdiscomposing;tothinkofhimuptherewasuncomfortable。
MrVerlocgotusedtothestartlingnoveltyoftheidea。HewasFondofhiswifeasamanshouldbe—thatis，generously。Butaweightyobjectionpresenteditselftohismind，andheformulatedit。
`He’lllosesightofmeperhaps，andgetlostinthestreet，’hesaid。
MrsVerlocshookherheadcompetently。
`Hewon’t。Youdon’tknowhim。Thatboyjustworshipsyou。Butifyoushouldmisshim——’
MrsVerlocpausedforamoment，butonlyforamoment。
`Youjustgoon，andhaveyourwalkout。Don’tworry。He’llbeallright。
He’ssuretoturnupsafeherebeforeverylong。’
ThisoptimismprocuredforMrVerlochisfourthsurpriseoftheday。
`Ishe？’hegrunteddoubtfully。Butperhapshisbrother—in—lawwasnotsuchanidiotashelooked。Hiswifewouldknowbest。Heturnedawayhisheavyeyes，sayinghuskily:`Well，lethimcomealong，then，’andrelapsedintotheclutchesofblackcare，thatperhapspreferstositbehindahorseman，butknowsalsohowtotreadcloseontheheelsofpeoplenotsufficientlywellofftokeephorses—likeMrVerloc，forinstance。
Winnie，attheshopdoor，didnotseethisfatalattendantuponMrVerloc’swalks。Shewatchedthetwofiguresdownthesqualidstreet，onetallandburly，theotherslightandshort，withathinneck，andthepeakedshouldersraisedslightlyunderthelargesemi—transparentears。Thematerialoftheirovercoatswasthesame，theirhatswereblackandroundinshape。
Inspiredbythesimilarityofwearingapparel，MrsVerlocgavereintoherfancy。
`Mightbefatherandson，’shesaidtoherself。ShethoughtalsothatMrVerlocwasasmuchofafatheraspoorStevieeverhadinhislife。
Shewasawarealsothatitwasherwork。Andwithpeacefulprideshecongratulatedherselfonacertainresolutionshehadtakenafewyearsbefore。Ithadcosthersomeeffort，andevenafewtears。
ShecongratulatedherselfstillmoreonobservinginthecourseofdaysthatMrVerlocseemedtobetakingkindlytoStevie’scompanionship。Now，whenreadytogooutforhiswalk，MrVerloccalledaloudtotheboy，inthespirit，nodoubt，inwhichamaninvitestheattendanceofthehouseholddog，though，ofcourse，inadifferentmanner。InthehouseMrVerloccouldbedetectedstaringcuriouslyatStevieagooddeal。Hisowndemeanourhadchanged。Taciturnstill，hewasnotsolistless。MrsVerlocthoughtthathewasratherjumpyattimes。Itmighthavebeenregardedasanimprovement。
AstoStevie，hemopednolongeratthefootoftheclock，butmutteredtohimselfincornersinsteadinathreateningtone。Whenasked`Whatisityou’resaying，Stevie？’hemerelyopenedhismouth，andsquintedathissister。Atoddtimesheclenchedhisfistswithoutapparentcause，andwhendiscoveredinsolitudewouldbescowlingatthewall，withthesheetofpaperandthepencilgivenhimfordrawingcircleslyingblankandidleonthekitchentable。Thiswasachange，butitwasnoimprovement。
MrsVerloc，includingallthesevagariesunderthegeneraldefinitionofexcitement，begantofearthatSteviewashearingmorethanwasgoodforhimofherhusband’sconversationswithhisfriends。Duringhis`walks’
MrVerloc，ofcourse，metandconversedwithvariouspersons。Itcouldhardlybeotherwise。Hiswalkswereanintegralpartofhisoutdooractivities，whichhiswifehadneverlookeddeeplyinto。MrsVerlocfeltthatthepositionwasdelicate，butshefaceditwiththesameimpenetrablecalmnesswhichimpressedandevenastonishedthecustomersoftheshopandmadetheothervisitorskeeptheirdistancealittlewonderingly。No！ShefearedthattherewerethingsnotgoodforStevietohearof，shetoldherhusband。
Itonlyexcitedthepoorboy，becausehecouldnothelpthembeingso。
Nobodycould。
Itwasintheshop。MrVerlocmadenocomment。Hemadenoretort，andyettheretortwasobvious。ButherefrainedfrompointingouttohiswifethattheideaofmakingSteviethecompanionofhiswalkswasherown，andnobodyelse’s。Atthatmoment，toanimpartialobserver，MrVerlocwouldhaveappearedmorethanhumaninhismagnanimity。Hetookdownasmallcardboardboxfromashelf，peepedintoseethatthecontentswereallright，andputitdowngentlyonthecounter。Nottillthatwasdonedidhebreakthesilence，totheeffectthatmostlikelySteviewouldprofitgreatlybybeingsentoutoftownforawhile;onlyhesupposedhiswifecouldnotgetonwithouthim。
`Couldnotgetonwithouthim！’repeatedMrsVerloc，slowly。`Icouldn’tgetonwithouthimifitwereforhisgood！Theidea！Ofcourse，Icangetonwithouthim。Butthere’snowhereforhimtogo。’
MrVerlocgotoutsomebrownpaperandaballofstring;andmeanwhilehemutteredthatMichaeliswaslivinginalittlecottageinthecountry。
Michaeliswouldn’tmindgivingSteviearoomtosleepin。Therewerenovisitorsandnotalkthere。Michaeliswaswritingabook。
MrsVerlocdeclaredheraffectionforMichaelis;mentionedherabhorrenceofKarlYundt，`nastyoldman’;andofOssiponshesaidnothing。AstoStevie，hecouldbenootherthanverypleased。MrMichaeliswasalwayssoniceandkindtohim。Heseemedtoliketheboy。Well，theboywasagoodboy。
`You，too，seemtohavegrownquitefondofhimoflate，’sheadded，afterapause，withherinflexibleassurance。
MrVerloc，tyingupthecardboardboxintoaparcelforthepost，brokethestringbyaninjudiciousjerk，andmutteredseveralswearwordsconfidentiallytohimself。Thenraisinghistonetotheusualhuskymutter，heannouncedhiswillingnesstotakeStevieintothecountryhimself，andleavehimsafewithMichaelis。
Hecarriedoutthisschemeontheverynextday。Stevieofferednoobjection。
Heseemedrathereager，inabewilderedsortofway。HeturnedhiscandidgazeinquisitivelytoMrVerloc’sheavycountenanceatfrequentintervals，especiallywhenhissisterwasnotlookingathim。Hisexpressionwasproud，apprehensive，andconcentrated，likethatofasmallchildentrustedforthefirsttimewithaboxofmatchesandthepermissiontostrikealight。
ButMrsVerloc，gratifiedbyherbrother’sdocility，recommendedhimnottodirtyhisclothesundulyinthecountry。AtthisSteviegavehissister，guardian，andprotectoralook，whichforthefirsttimeinhislifeseemedtolackthequalityofperfectchildliketrustfulness。Itwashaughtilygloomy。MrsVerlocsmiled。
`Goodnessme！Youneedn’tbeoffended。Youknowyoudogetyourselfveryuntidywhenyougetachance，Stevie。’
MrVerlocwasalreadygonesomewaydownthestreet。
Thusinconsequenceofhermother’sheroicproceedings，andofherbrother’sabsenceonthisvillegiature，MrsVerlocfoundherselfoftenerthanusualallalonenotonlyintheshop，butinthehouse。ForMrVerlochadtotakehiswalks。ShewasalonelongerthanusualonthedayoftheattemptedbomboutrageinGreenwichPark，becauseMrVerlocwentoutveryearlythatmorninganddidnotcomebacktillnearlydusk。Shedidnotmindbeingalone。Shehadnodesiretogoout。Theweatherwastoobad，andtheshopwascosierthanthestreets。Sittingbehindthecounterwithsomesewing，shedidnotraisehereyesfromherworkwhenMrVerlocenteredintheaggressiveclatterofthebell。Shehadrecognizedhissteponthepavementoutside。
Shedidnotraisehereyes，butasMrVerloc，silent，andwithhishatrammeddownuponhisforehead，madestraightfortheparlourdoor，shesaid，serenely:
`Whatawretchedday。You’vebeenperhapstoseeStevie？’
`No！Ihaven’t，’saidMrVerloc，softly，andslammedtheglazedparlourdoorbehindhimwithunexpectedenergy。
ForsometimeMrsVerlocremainedquiescent，withherworkdroppedinherlap，beforesheputitawayunderthecounterandgotuptolightthegas。Thisdone，shewentintotheparlouronherwaytothekitchen。MrVerlocwouldwanthisteapresently。Confidentofthepowerofhercharms，Winniedidnotexpectfromherhusbandinthedailyintercourseoftheirmarriedlifeaceremoniousamenityofaddressandcourtlinessofmanner;
vainandantiquatedformsatbest，probablyneververyexactlyobserved，discardednowadayseveninthehighestspheres，andalwaysforeigntothestandardsofherclass。Shedidnotlookforcourtesiesfromhim。Buthewasagoodhusband，andshehadaloyalrespectforhisrights。
MrsVerlocwouldhavegonethroughtheparlourandontoherdomesticdutiesinthekitchenwiththeperfectserenityofawomansureofthepowerofhercharms。Butaslight，veryslight，andrapidrattlingsoundgrewuponherhearing。Bizarreandincomprehensible，itarrestedMrsVerloc’sattention。Thenasitscharacterbecameplaintotheearshestoppedshort，amazedandconcerned。Strikingamatchontheboxsheheldinherhand，sheturnedonandlighted，abovetheparlourtable，oneofthetwogas—burners，which，beingdefective，firstwhistledasifastonished，andthenwentonpurringcomfortablylikeacat。
MrVerloc，againsthisusualpractice，hadthrownoffhisovercoat。
Itwaslyingonthesofa。Hishat，whichhemustalsohavethrownoff，restedoverturnedundertheedgeofthesofa。Hehaddraggedachairinfrontofthefireplace，andhisfeetplantedinsidethefender，hisheadheldbetweenhishands，hewashanginglowovertheglowinggrate。Histeethrattledwithanungovernableviolence，causinghiswholeenormousbacktotrembleatthesamerate。MrsVerlocwasstartled。
`You’vebeengettingwet，’shesaid。
`Notvery，’MrVerlocmanagedtofalterout，inaprofoundshudder。
Byagreatefforthesuppressedtherattlingofhisteeth。
`I’llhaveyoulaiduponmyhands，’shesaid，withgenuineuneasiness。
`Idon’tthinkso，’remarkedMrVerloc，snufflinghuskily。
Hehadcertainlycontrivedsomehowtocatchanabominablecoldbetweenseveninthemorningandfiveintheafternoon。MrsVerloclookedathisbowedback。
`Wherehaveyoubeentoday？’sheasked。
`Nowhere，’answeredMrVerlocinalow，chokednasaltone。Hisattitudesuggestedaggrievedsulksorasevereheadache。Theunsufficiencyanduncandidnessofhisanswerbecamepainfullyapparentinthedeadsilenceoftheroom。
Hesnuffledapologetically，andadded:`I’vebeentothebank。’
MrsVerlocbecameattentive。
`Youhave！’shesaid，dispassionately。`Whatfor？’
MrVerlocmumbled，withhisnoseoverthegrate，andwithmarkedunwillingness:
`Drawthemoneyout！’
`Whatdoyoumean？Allofit？’
`Yes。Allofit。’
MrsVerlocspreadoutwithcarethescantytablecloth，gottwoknivesandtwoforksoutofthetabledrawer，andsuddenlystoppedinhermethodicalproceedings。
`Whatdidyoudothatfor？’
`Maywantitsoon，’snuffledvaguelyMrVerloc，whowascomingtotheendofhiscalculatedindiscretions。
`Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，’remarkedhiswifeinatoneperfectlycasual，butstandingstock—stillbetweenthetableandthecupboard。
`Youknowyoucantrustme，’MrVerlocremarkedtothegrate，withhoarsefeeling。
MrsVerlocturnedslowlytowardsthecupboard，sayingwithdeliberation:
`Oh，yes。Icantrustyou。’
Andshewentonwithhermethodicalproceedings。Shelaidtwoplates，gotthebread，thebutter，goingtoandfroquietlybetweenthetableandthecupboardinthepeaceandsilenceofherhome。Onthepointoftakingoutthejam，shereflectedpractically:`Hewillbefeelinghungry，havingbeenawayallday，’andshereturnedtothecupboardoncemoretogetthecoldbeef。Shesetitunderthepurringgas—jet，andwithapassingglanceathermotionlesshusbandhuggingthefire，shewent（downtwosteps）intothekitchen。Itwasonlywhencomingback，carvingknifeandforkinhand，thatshespokeagain。
`IfIhadn’ttrustedyouIwouldn’thavemarriedyou。’
Bowedundertheovermantel，MrVerloc，holdinghisheadinbothhands，seemedtohavegonetosleep。Winniemadethetea，andcalledoutinanundertone:
`Adolf。’
MrVerlocgotupatonce，andstaggeredalittlebeforehesatdownatthetable。Hiswife，examiningthesharpedgeofthecarvingknife，placeditonthedish，andcalledhisattentiontothecoldbeef。Heremainedinsensibletothesuggestion，withhischinonhisbreast。
`Youshouldfeedyourcold，’MrsVerlocsaid，dogmatically。
Helookedup，andshookhishead。Hiseyeswerebloodshotandhisfacered。Hisfingershadruffledhishairintoadissipateduntidiness。Altogetherhehadadisreputableaspect，expressiveofthediscomfort，theirritation，andthegloomfollowingaheavydebauch。ButMrVerlocwasnotadebauchedman。Inhisconducthewasrespectable。Hisappearancemighthavebeentheeffectofafeverishcold。Hedrankthreecupsoftea，butabstainedfromfoodentirely。HerecoiledfromitwithsombreaversionwhenurgedbyMrsVerloc，whosaidatlast:
`Aren’tyourfeetwet？Youhadbetterputonyourslippers。Youaren’tgoingoutanymorethisevening。’
MrVerlocintimatedbymorosegruntsandsignsthathisfeetwerenotwet，andthatanyhowhedidnotcare。Theproposalastoslipperswasdisregardedasbeneathhisnotice。Butthequestionofgoingoutintheeveningreceivedanunexpecteddevelopment。ItwasnotofgoingoutintheeveningthatMrVerlocwasthinking。Histhoughtsembracedavasterscheme。FrommoodyandincompletephrasesitbecameapparentthatMrVerlochadbeenconsideringtheexpediencyofemigrating。ItwasnotveryclearwhetherhehadinhismindFranceorCalifornia。
Theutterunexpectedness，improbability，andinconceivablenessofsuchaneventrobbedthisvaguedeclarationofallitseffect。MrsVerloc，asplacidlyasifherhusbandhadbeenthreateningherwiththeendoftheworld，said:
`Theidea！’
MrVerlocdeclaredhimselfsickandtiredofeverything，andbesides—Sheinterruptedhim。
`You’veabadcold。’
ItwasindeedobviousthatMrVerlocwasnotinhisusualstate，physicallyorevenmentally。Asombreirresolutionheldhimsilentforawhile。Thenhemurmuredafewominousgeneralitiesonthethemeofnecessity。
`Willhaveto，’repeatedWinnie，sittingcalmlyback，withfoldedarms，oppositeherhusband。`Ishouldliketoknowwho’stomakeyou。Youain’taslave。Nooneneedbeaslaveinthiscountry—anddon’tyoumakeyourselfone。’Shepaused，andwithinvincibleandsteadycandour:`Thebusinessisn’tsobad，’shewenton。`You’veacomfortablehome。’
Sheglancedallroundtheparlour，fromthecornercupboardtothegoodfireinthegrate。Ensconcedcosilybehindtheshopofdoubtfulwares，withthemysteriouslydimwindow，anditsdoorsuspiciouslyajarintheobscureandnarrowstreet，itwasinallessentialsofdomesticproprietyanddomesticcomfortarespectablehome。HerdevotedaffectionmissedoutofitherbrotherStevie，nowenjoyingadampvillegiatureintheKentishlanesunderthecareofMrMichaelis。Shemissedhimpoignantly，withalltheforceofherprotectingpassion。Thiswastheboy’shome，too—theroof，thecupboard，thestokedgrate。OnthisthoughtMrsVerlocrose，andwalkingtotheotherendofthetable，saidinthefullnessofherheart:
`Andyouarenottiredofme。’
MrVerlocmadenosound。Winnieleanedonhisshoulderfrombehind，andpressedherlipstohisforehead。Thusshelingered。Notawhisperreachedthemfromtheoutsideworld。Thesoundoffootstepsonthepavementdiedoutinthediscreetdimnessoftheshop。Onlythegas—jetabovethetablewentonpurringequablyinthebroodingsilenceoftheparlour。
DuringthecontactofthatunexpectedandlingeringkissMrVerloc，grippingwithbothhandstheedgesofhischair，preservedahieraticimmobility。
Whenthepressurewasremovedheletgothechair，rose，andwenttostandbeforethefireplace。Heturnednolongerhisbacktotheroom。Withhisfeaturesswollenandanairofbeingdrugged，hefollowedhiswife’smovementswithhiseyes。
MrsVerlocwentaboutserenely，clearingupthetable。Hertranquilvoicecommentedontheideathrownoutinareasonableanddomestictone。
Itwouldn’tstandexamination。Shecondemneditfromeverypointofview。