So he said, with truth, “I’m more leetsome, Rachael, under ‘t than I could’n ha believed.” It was not her part to make his burden heavier. She answered with her comforting smile, and the three walked on together.
Age, especially when it strives to be self-reliant and cheerful, finds much consideration among the poor. The woman was so decent and contented, and made so light of her infirmities, though they had increased upon her since her former interview with Stephen, that they both took an interest in her. She was too sprightly to allow of their walking at a slow pace on her account, but she was very grateful to be talked to, and very willing to talk to any extent: so, when they came to their part of the town, she was more brisk and vivacious than ever.
“Coom to my poor place, missus,” said Stephen, “and tak a coop o’ tea. Rachael will coom then; and arterwards I’ll see thee safe t’ thy Travellers’ lodgin. ‘T may be long, Rachael, ere ever I ha’ th’ chance o’ thy company agin.”
They complied, and the three went on to the house where he lodged. When they turned into a narrow street, Stephen glanced at his window with a dread that always haunted his desolate home; but it was open, as he had left it, and no one was there. The evil spirit of his life had flitted away again, months ago, and he had heard no more of her since. The only evidences of her last return now, were the scantier moveables in his room, and the grayer hair upon his head.
He lighted a candle, set out his little tea-board, got hot water from below, and brought in small portions of tea and sugar, a loaf, and some butter, from the nearest shop. The bread was new and crusty, the butter fresh, and the sugar lump, of course – in fulfilment of the standard testimony of the Coketown magnates, that these people lived like princes, sir. Rachael made the tea (so large a party necessitated the borrowing of a cup), and the visitor enjoyed it mightily. It was the first glimpse of sociality the host had had for many days. He too, with the world a wide heath before him, enjoyed the meal – again in corroboration of the magnates, as exemplifying the utter want of calculation on the part of these people, sir.
“I ha never thowt yet, missus,” said Stephen, “o’ askin thy name.”
The old lady announced herself as “Mrs. Pegler.”
“A widder, I think?” said Stephen.
“Oh, many years!” Mrs. Pegler’s husband (one of the best on record) was already dead, by Mrs. Pegler’s calculation, when Stephen was born.
“‘Twere a bad job too, to lose so good a one,” said Stephen. “Onny children?”
Mrs. Pegler’s cup, rattling against her saucer as she held it, denoted some nervousness on her part. “No,” she said. “Not now, not now.”
“Dead, Stephen,” Rachael softly hinted.
“I’m sooary I ha’ spok’n on ‘t,” said Stephen, “I ought t’ hadn in my mind as I might touch a sore place. I – I blame myseln.”
While he excused himself, the old lady’s cup rattled more and more. “I had a son,” she said, curiously distressed, and not by any of the usual appearances of sorrow; “and he did well, wonderfully well. But he is not to be spoken of if you please. He is – ” Putting down her cup, she moved her hands as if she would have added, by her action, “dead!” Then she said aloud, “I have lost him.”
Stephen had not yet got the better of his having given the old lady pain, when his landlady came stumbling up the narrow stairs, and calling him to the door, whispered in his ear. Mrs. Pegler was by no means deaf, for she caught a word as it was uttered.
“Bounderby!” she cried, in a suppressed voice, starting up from the table. “Oh hide me! Don’t let me be seen for the world. Don’t let him come up till I’ve got away. Pray, pray!” She trembled, and was excessively agitated; getting behind Rachael, when Rachael tried to reassure her; and not seeming to know what she was about.