# Chapter X explained — The Lodger

> Chapter companion for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

Mrs. Bunting takes advantage of the lodger's absence to search his room, discovering a hidden bag in the chiffonnier and accidentally spilling red ink. She confesses the accident to Mr. Sleuth, who reacts with initial alarm but calms down. Later, the family discusses their visit to the Black Museum, and Daisy dresses up, expecting Joe Chandler, while Mrs. Bunting remains distracted and troubled.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Mrs. Bunting outwardly maintains a calm demeanor while inwardly tormented by suspicion and dread; the red ink is mistaken for blood, highlighting the tension between surface and truth.

### Complicity and Moral Ambiguity

Mrs. Bunting's search of the lodger's room and her concealment of the accident reveal her growing complicity in protecting a potential murderer, torn between duty and fear.

### Fear and Suspicion

The chapter is saturated with Mrs. Bunting's fear and suspicion as she searches for evidence and dreads the lodger's reaction, reflecting the pervasive atmosphere of the Avenger murders.

## Character check-ins

### Mrs. Bunting

Searches the lodger's room, discovers the hidden bag, and spills red ink; later acts distracted and silent during the evening.

### Mr. Sleuth

Goes out to buy a new suit; returns to find his ink spilled, reacts with wild terror but then calms.

### Daisy

Returns from the Black Museum visit, dresses up in a blue-and-white check silk gown, and offers to read the newspaper aloud.

### Joe Chandler

Accompanies Bunting and Daisy on their jaunt; is expected to visit later in the evening.

### Mr. Bunting

Returns from the Black Museum visit, buys a penny evening paper, and complains about his eyes hurting from reading.

## Key lines

> By what she regarded as a fortunate chance, Mrs. Bunting found herself for close on an hour quite alone in the house during her husband’s and Daisy’s jaunt with young Chandler.

Mrs. Bunting considered herself lucky to have the house to herself for nearly an hour while her husband and Daisy went out with young Chandler.

_Sets up the opportunity for Mrs. Bunting to search the lodger's room._

> She stooped down and touched the stuff. It showed red, bright red, on her finger. Mrs. Bunting grew chalky white, then recovered herself quickly. In fact the colour rushed into her face, and she grew hot all over. It was only a bottle of red ink she had upset—that was all!

She touched the liquid and saw it was bright red on her finger, turning pale before quickly realizing it was just red ink she had spilled.

_Highlights the moment of terror and relief when Mrs. Bunting mistakes the red ink for blood._

> Yet under that still, almost sullen, manner, how fierce was the storm of dread, of sombre anguish, and, yes, of sick suspense, which shook her soul

Beneath her calm and quiet exterior, Mrs. Bunting was overwhelmed by intense fear, sorrow, and anxious uncertainty.

_Reveals the inner turmoil Mrs. Bunting hides from her family._

## Links

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