CHAPTER LXXIV.
BIG BEN CREATES A SENSATION.
The cook was so surprised at these words from Mrs. Lovett that for some moments he made no answer to them.
“Pray, speak again,” he said at length, when he could find words in which to express himself.
“I repeat,” she said, “that I am desirous, as far as lies in my power, to ameliorate your condition, of which you so much complain.”
“Indeed!”
“Ah, you are too suspicious.”
“Humph! I think, madam, when you come to consider all things, you will hardly think it possible for me to be too suspicious.”
“You are wrong again. I dare say now, in your mind, you attribute most of your evils to me.”
“Well, madam, candidly speaking, should I be far wrong by so doing?”
“You would be quite wrong. Alas! alas! I—”
“You what, madam? Pray, speak up.”
“I a
