The Gift of the Sailor: The String of Pearls & Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street — page 286: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“Who?” “The colonel. The good, kind, colonel—colonel—ah—ah dear me, I forget what you said his name was.” “Jeffery, and may his end be peace. He will get the reward of all his good actions in another world than this, Martha. Ah, Martha, such men as he can afford to smile at their latter ends —No—no, I couldn’t.” “Only half a glass; look at the 2 33 “No—no “Cream on it.” “T must go, indeed. In course the colonel, since I have been his cook, knows what cooking is, for though I say it, perhaps as should not, I am a cook, and not a spiler of folks’ victuals. Of course what’s said, goes no further. I know I can trust you, Martha.” “Oh dear, yes, in course. I’ Il just put on my shawl and walk a little way with you, Mrs. Ragg. Dear me—dear me!” “What is it, Martha?” “Its a-raining like cats and dogs, it is. Well, I never; what shall you do, Mrs. Ragg? What shall you do?” “Call a coach, I shall, Martha. The last words the colonel said to me was, ‘Mrs. Ragg, rather than there should be any delay in your return,’ says he, ‘as Tobias may want you, call a coach, and I will pay for it.’” Todd had only just time to dart down the staircase before the two ladies made their appearance; and then hiding sometimes in doorways, and sometimes behind columns and corners, he dodged them into Fleet Street. A coach was duly called, and Mrs. Ragg by the assistance of Martha Jones, was safely bestowed inside it. Todd heard distinctly the colonel’s address given to the coachman, who would have it twice over, so that he should be sure he had it all right. “That will do,” said Todd. He darted across the street, and made the best of his way to his shop again. He listened at the door for a few moments before he entered, and he thought he heard the sound of weeping. He listened more attentively, and then he was sure. Some one was sobbing bitterly within the shop. “Tt must be Charley,” thought Todd. He placed his ear quite close to the panel of the door, in the hope that the boy would speak. Todd was quite an adept at listening, but this time he was disappointed, for the sham Charley Green spoke not one word. Yet the deep sobs continued. Todd was not in the best of tempers. He could stand the delay no longer, and bouncing into the shop, he cried— 33 “What the devil is the meaning of all this? What is the meaning of it, you young rascal? I suspec “Yes, sir,” said Johanna, looking Todd full in the face, “and so do I.” “You—you? suspect what?” “That I shall have to have it out, for its aching distracts me. Did you ever have the toothache, sir?” “The toothache?” “Yes, sir. It’s—it’s worse than the heart-ache, and that I have had.” “Ah!—humph! Any one been?” “One gentleman, sir, to be shaved; he says he will call again.” “Very good—very good.” Todd took from his pocket the key of the back-parlour—that key without which in his own possession he never left the shop; and then, after casting upon Johanna a somewhat sinister and threatening look, he muttered to himself— “T suspect that boy. If he refuse to come into the parlour, I will cut his throat in the shop; but if he come in I shall be better satisfied. Charley? Come here.” “Yes, sir,” said Johanna, and she walked boldly into the parlour. “Shut the door.” She closed it. “Humph,” said Todd, it is no matter. “I will call you again when I want you.” NNN CORniclooo S CO)