Probably the hideous eyes that belonged to the hideous face, conveyed the impression to the brain behind them that Mrs. Stag was in a state of apprehension; for suddenly the face was withdrawn, and Todd—yes, Todd himself, for to whom else could such a face belong?—made his way into the shop.
Mrs. Stag groaned again, and in a stammering voice, said—
"If you please, sir. I—I ain't ready yet."
"Ready for what?" said Todd.
"To go to—to—the brimstone beds, if you please, sir. I haven't done half enough yet."
"Pho!" said Todd. "My good woman, you don't surely take me for the devil? I am an old friend of Mrs. Lovett's, and a neighbour. I have just stepped in to ask her how she does to day."
Mrs. Stag drew a long breath of relief as she said—
"Well, really, sir, I begs your parding. It must have been the pane of glass that—that—that—"
"Threw my face out of shape a little," said Todd, making one of his most hideous contortions, and finishing it off with a loud "Ha!"
Mrs. Stag nearly fell off her chair. But it was not Todd's wish to frighten her, although he had, in the hilarity of his heart, yielded, like Lord Brougham, to the speculative fun of the moment. He now tried to reassure her.