He gave one of his peculiar laughs, and then glided into the parlour behind the shop. Mrs. Lovett followed him.
"News?" he said.
"None."
"Hem! The time is coming."
"The time to leave off this—"
"Yes. The time to quit business, Mrs. Lovett. All goes well—swimmingly. Ha! ha!"
She shuddered as she said—
"Do not laugh."
"Let those laugh who win," replied Todd. "How old are you, Sarah?"
"Old?"