"You take me by surprise. Just step into the parlour, and—"
"No—no."
"Why not? Do you suspect—"
"I suspect nothing; but I am sure of much. Now, for me to set foot within your parlour would be tantamount to the commission of suicide, and I am not yet come to that—you understand me?"
Todd understood her. His hand strayed to a razor that lay partially open close to him. Mrs. Lovett raised the iron.
Mrs. Lovett And Todd Quarrel.
"Beware!" she said.
Todd shrunk back.
"Pho! pho! this is child's play," he said. "You and I, Mrs. Lovett, ought to be above all this—far above it. You want your half of the proceeds of our joint business, and I must confess, at the moment, that the demand rather staggered and distressed me; but the more I think of it, the more reasonable it appears."