"Charley" started.
"Oh! sir," he said, "you may rely upon me. I will be quite discreet. I am a fortunate lad to get so soon into the employment of such an exemplary master."
"Ha!"
Todd, for a space of two minutes made the most hideous and extraordinary grimaces.
"Fortunate lad," he said. "Exemplary master! How true. Ha!"—Poor Johanna shuddered at that dreadful charnel-house sort of laugh.
"My God," she thought, "was that the last sound that rung in the ears of my poor Mark, ere he bade adieu to this world for ever?" Then she could not but utter a sort of groan.
"What's that?" said Todd.
"What, sir?"
"I—I thought some one groaned, or—or sighed. Was it you? No.—Well, it was nothing. See if that water on the fire is hot. Do you hear me? Well—well don't be alarmed. Is it hot?"
"I think."