# Chapter XXIV explained — The Lodger > Chapter companion for The Lodger by Marie Belloc Lowndes. ## What happens Bunting is tormented by fear and indecision about the lodger's guilt, torn between his suspicion and his dread of involving the police, which he believes would ruin his and Ellen's future. Joe Chandler visits and, to Bunting's immense relief, asks for Daisy's hand in marriage rather than accusing him of harboring the Avenger. Bunting grants his blessing and promises to arrange a private walk for the couple. ## Themes in this chapter ### Fear and Suspicion Bunting is paralyzed by fear and suspicion, unable to act on his certainty about the lodger's guilt due to dread of the consequences. ### Complicity and Moral Ambiguity Bunting grapples with his moral complicity as an 'accessory after the fact,' torn between duty and self-preservation. ### Class and Respectability Bunting's primary fear is that involvement with the police will ruin his and Ellen's chance at a 'good joint situation,' reflecting the precarious social standing of their class. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Bunting Consumed by fear and moral conflict, Bunting debates whether to report his suspicions to the police, but dreads the social and financial ruin it would bring. He is relieved when Chandler's visit turns out to be about Daisy, not the lodger. ### Joe Chandler The detective spends much of his free time with the Buntings, discussing the Avenger case. He asks Bunting for permission to marry Daisy, revealing his frustration at never being alone with her. ### Daisy Daisy goes shopping with her stepmother, but is eager to return home to see Chandler. She blushes when she finds him still there and is pleased when Bunting suggests a walk. ### Mrs. Bunting Mrs. Bunting is protective of Daisy, delaying their shopping and giving a 'peculiar, disagreeable look' when Daisy wants to stay behind. She is skeptical of Chandler's invitation to tea. ### Mr. Sleuth The lodger stays upstairs, rarely going out, claiming he still feels unwell from the chill he caught on the night he met Bunting. He is the object of Bunting's growing suspicion. ## Key lines > The unhappy man was ever debating within himself what course he should pursue, and, according to his mood and to the state of his mind at any particular moment, he would waver between various widely-differing lines of action. Bunting constantly argued with himself about what to do, changing his mind depending on his mood. _Highlights Bunting's indecision and internal turmoil._ > But Londoners of Bunting’s class have an uneasy fear of the law. To his mind it would be ruin for him and for his Ellen to be mixed up publicly in such a terrible affair. People of Bunting's social standing distrusted the police, and he believed public involvement would destroy their future. _Illustrates the class-based fear of legal entanglement._ > And then he remembered a phrase, a horrible legal phrase⁠—'Accessory after the fact.' Yes, he had been that, there wasn’t any doubt about it! He recalled the terrible legal term 'accessory after the fact' and knew he was guilty of it. _Shows Bunting's awareness of his criminal complicity._ > I made up my mind the very first time I see’d her, Mr. Bunting. I knew I wanted to marry her the moment I first saw her. _Chandler declares his instant love for Daisy._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters/xxiv - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lodger_se/chapters