Mr Willet was by no means disposed to stand there listening by himself, especially as the walls were very thick; so descended, with much greater alacrity than he had come up, and joined his friends below.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

‘Stop!’ he said, when they reached the landing. ‘I can announce myself. Don’t wait.’
He laid his hand upon the door, entered, and shut it heavily.

and looking keenly round upon the bowing group, raised his hat in acknowledgment of their profound respect.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

John quickly returned, ushering in with great attention and deference (for Mr Haredale was his landlord) the long-expected visitor, who strode into the room clanking his heavy boots upon the floor;

and he believes, through thinking of it long and very much, that it will never fade until he finds the man who did the deed.’
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

They put new boards down, but there was one great spot that came through still, and showed itself in the old place. And—harkye—draw nearer—Mr Geoffrey made that room his study, and sits there, always, with his foot (as I have heard) upon it;

or if he loses, it will perhaps be deeper still, for he’ll never give in unless he’s beaten down. We know him better, eh?’
‘Better indeed!’ they whispered all together.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

but bethinking himself that one of the parties would probably be left alive to pay the damage, he brightened up again.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

If they fire at each other without effect, then they’ll draw, and go to work in earnest.’
A shade passed over Mr Willet’s face as he thought of broken windows and disabled furniture,

The flip had had no flavour till now. The tobacco had been of mere English growth, compared with its present taste. A duel in that great old rambling room upstairs, and the best bed ordered already for the wounded man!
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

You know by the newspapers what a common thing it is for gentlemen to fight in coffee-houses without seconds. One of ‘em will be wounded or perhaps killed in this house.’

‘That was a challenge that Barnaby took then, eh?’ said John.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

‘It’s as plain,’ returned Solomon, ‘as the nose on Parkes’s face’—Mr Parkes, who had a large nose, rubbed it, and looked as if he considered this a personal allusion—‘they’ll fight in that room.

Everybody looked at Mr Willet, after this alarming suggestion. Mr Willet looked at the fire, weighing in his own mind the effect which such an occurrence would be likely to have on the establishment.
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge

‘Why then, I’ll tell you what,’ said Solomon, speaking softly and with an earnest look. ‘He and Mr Haredale are going to fight a duel in it.’

and has never had much to do with anything but animals, and has never lived in any way but like the animals he has lived among, IS a animal. And,’ said Mr Willet, arriving at his logical conclusion, ‘is to be treated accordingly.’
#CharlesDickens
#BarnabyRudge