Recent events, although they had by no manner of means tended to decrease the just confidence which Johanna had in her own safety, had yet much agitated her; and she at times feared that she should not be able to carry on the farce of composure before Todd much longer.
"Charley, my dear boy," said Todd, "you are a very good lad, indeed, and I like you."
"I am very glad to hear you say so, sir—very glad."
"That is right; but when I say I like any one, I do not confine myself to that mere expression of liking, and there an end. Of course, as a religious man, I love my enemies, and feel myself bound to do so—eh, Charley?"
"Of course, sir."
Poor Johanna had no resource but to seem to be deceived by this most disgusting hypocrisy.
"But although," continued Todd, waving a razor in the air; "although I may love my enemies, I need not to go out of my way, you know, Charley, to do good things to them as I would to my friends; but you I will do all I can for; and as it may very materially help you to get an honest independence in the course of a little time, I will manage to accommodate you with sleeping here to-night and all nights henceforth."
"How kind of you, sir!"
"I am glad you appreciate it, Charley; and I feel quite sure that your slumber will be most profound."
Todd, upon this, made one of his diabolical faces, and then, taking his hat, he marched out, merely adding as he crossed the threshold of the door—