# IV explained — The Lodger

> Chapter companion for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

Mrs. Bunting wakes up feeling relieved and hopeful thanks to the arrival of the new lodger, Mr. Sleuth, who pays two guineas a week. She goes out to buy him necessities, including razors, and hears unsettling details about the Avenger murders. Later, detective Joe Chandler visits, discussing the Avenger case and inquiring about Daisy. Mr. Sleuth goes out after dark, and parcels of secondhand clothes arrive for him. Mrs. Bunting becomes suspicious about his missing bag, which she never sees again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mr. Sleuth appears to be a respectable gentleman but his peculiar habits and missing bag hint at a hidden reality.

### Fear and Suspicion

Mrs. Bunting's growing unease about the lodger's behavior and the bag's disappearance, set against the backdrop of the Avenger murders.

### Poverty and Social Insecurity

The Buntings' financial distress is alleviated by the lodger's rent, highlighting their precarious economic situation.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bunting

Feels happier and relieved due to the lodger's arrival; goes out to buy Mr. Sleuth's necessities; listens to talk of the Avenger murders; becomes curious about the missing bag.

### Mr. Sleuth

The new lodger; requests a Concordance and various toiletries; insists on staying home during the day and walking only after dark; receives secondhand clothes; his bag disappears.

### Joe Chandler

Detective visiting the Buntings; discusses the Avenger case and his assignment; inquires about Daisy Bunting.

### Mr. Bunting

Shows interest in the Avenger murders; returns half a sovereign to Joe Chandler; mentions Daisy's visit.

### Daisy

Mentioned by Bunting and Chandler; lives with her aunt and rarely visits London.

## Key lines

> Mrs. Bunting woke up the next morning feeling happier than she had felt for a very, very long time.

Mrs. Bunting awoke with a rare sense of happiness.

_Highlights her relief at the lodger's arrival._

> His coming had only been in the nick of time to save them from terrible disaster.

The lodger's arrival had come just in time to prevent financial ruin.

_Emphasizes the Buntings' desperate need for money._

> I must ask you to understand that I must not be disturbed when thinking out my problems—for mine are the great problems of life and death.

Mr. Sleuth insists on privacy while contemplating profound matters of life and death.

_Reveals his secretive and possibly sinister nature._

> She never saw Mr. Sleuth's bag again.

The bag that Mr. Sleuth brought with him was never seen again by Mrs. Bunting.

_Foreshadows mystery and concealment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters