"I'm sure, too, we've had quite enough of this place. But there's no
keeping you out of the libraries, Caudle. You're getting quite a
gambler. And I don't think it's a nice example to set your children,
raffling as you do for French clocks, and I don't know what. But
that's not the worst; you never win anything. Oh, I forgot. Yes; a
needle-case, that under my nose you gave to Miss Prettyman. A nice
thing for a married man to make presents: and to such a creature as
that, too! A needle-case! I wonder whenever she has a needle in HER
hand!

"I know I shall feel ill with anxiety if I stop here. Nobody left in
the house but that Mrs. Closepeg. And she is such a stupid woman.
It was only last night that I dreamt I saw our cat quite a skeleton,
and the canary stiff on its back at the bottom of the cage. You
know, Caudle, I'm never happy when I'm away from home; and yet you
will stay here. No, home's my comfort! I never want to stir over
the threshold, and you know it. If thieves were to break in, what
could that Mrs. Closepeg do against 'em? And so, Caudle, you'll go
home on Saturday? Our dear--dear home! On Saturday, Caudle?"


"What I answered," says Caudle, "I forget; but I know that on the
Saturday we were once again shipped on board the 'Red Rover'."



LECTURE XXVIII--MRS. CAUDLE HAS RETURNED HOME. THE HOUSE (OF COURSE)
"NOT FIT TO BE SEEN." MR. CAUDLE, IN SELF-DEFENCE, TAKES A BOOK