"Don't be at all alarmed at me, madam," he said. "Mrs. Lovett laughs often at my little funny ways. Is she at home?"
Todd knew what sort of home he had provided Mrs. Lovett with, and this visit to Bell Yard was one partly of curiosity and partly of triumph, to ascertain how she had left things in her absence from her establishment.
"No, sir," said Mrs. Stag, replying to the question of Todd; "she is not at home, sir."
"Dear me, I thought she was always in at this time of the day. When, madam, do you expect her?"
"Leastways," said Mrs. Stag, "I don't know, sir."
"Were you here, madam, when she left home?"
"Yes, I were."
"Oh, and did she leave any message, madam, in case Mr. Todd from Fleet Street should call? Pray recollect yourself, my dear madam, as it may possibly be important. I do not say that it is, but it may be."
"No, sir," replied Mrs. Stag; "oh dear, no. All she said was, that she was going to a christening."
"A christening? Ha! She has been christened!"