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He devoted himself during the remainder of the evening to keeping

a most vigilant watch on Mrs. Cruncher, and sullenly holding her

in conversation that she might be prevented from meditating any

petitions to his disadvantage. With this view, he urged his son

to hold her in conversation also, and led the unfortunate woman a

hard life by dwelling on any causes of complaint he could bring

against her, rather than he would leave her for a moment to her

own reflections. The devoutest person could have rendered no

greater homage to the efficacy of an honest prayer than he did in

this distrust of his wife. It was as if a professed unbeliever in

ghosts should be frightened by a ghost story.