The Lodger · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Bunting struggles with her growing suspicion that Mr. Sleuth is The Avenger, torn between her duty to society and her protective attachment to him. She listens anxiously for his movements, and when he insists on going out in the fog, she tries to bar his way but ultimately relents, haunted by fear and moral conflict.
Themes in this chapter
Complicity and Moral Ambiguity
Mrs. Bunting is torn between her suspicion that Mr. Sleuth is The Avenger and her protective loyalty, deciding she would never betray him even if proof emerged.
Fear and Suspicion
Mrs. Bunting's terror is palpable as she listens for Mr. Sleuth's movements, fears his night wanderings, and tries to prevent him from going out into the fog.
Isolation and Urban Anonymity
The fog isolates the characters, and Mr. Sleuth's solitary, persecuted demeanor underscores his anonymity and detachment from society.
Characters to notice
- Mrs. Bunting
Tormented by suspicion and loyalty, she presses her forehead against the hall mirror, moaning in distress, and later tries to physically block Mr. Sleuth from going out.
- Mr. Sleuth
Wears his Inverness cloak and high hat, insists on going out despite the fog, and speaks of being misunderstood and persecuted; carries the key to his chiffonnier cupboard.
- Mr. Bunting
Smokes his pipe, reads a book, and expresses surprise that Mr. Sleuth would go out in the fog, recalling Mrs. Crowley's fondness for London weather.
- Joe Chandler
Mentioned as having told the Buntings about famous murder cases, including The Avenger's unprecedented strangeness.
- Daisy
Mentioned as having gone out with Joe Chandler; Mrs. Bunting hopes they are safe from the fog.
- Mrs. Crowley
Recalled by Mr. Bunting as a cheerful lady who never minded London fog and used to give her servants treats.
Key passages
“I don’t know what to do! ... I can’t bear it! I can’t bear it!”
Mrs. Bunting feels overwhelmed by her secret anguish and uncertainty.
She presses her forehead against the hall mirror in a moment of despair.
“In the long history of crime it has very, very seldom happened that a woman has betrayed one who has taken refuge with her.”
Women rarely turn in a fugitive they have sheltered, unless motivated by greed or revenge.
The narrator reflects on Mrs. Bunting's moral dilemma and the historical rarity of female betrayal.
“I wouldn’t exactly call him timid, but he is very quiet, certainly. That’s why he dislikes going out when there are a lot of people bustling about the streets.”
Mrs. Bunting describes Mr. Sleuth as quiet rather than timid, explaining his preference for avoiding crowds.
She defends the lodger's behavior to her husband while hiding her deeper fears.
“For years I have been misunderstood—persecuted—tortured!”
Mr. Sleuth claims he has long been victimized by others.
He speaks with a hollow, pleading tone, warning Mrs. Bunting not to become another tormentor.