Cranford

Mysterious Death of the Jamiesons’ Dog Carlo

Two days after the attempted break-in, Mrs Jamieson’s dog Carlo is found dead, his legs stretched out as if running from Death. The cause is mysterious—some suspect the robber gang poisoned him in revenge for his barking, while others blame apoplexy from overfeeding. The mysterious circumstances renew fears that Signor Brunoni’s deadly will may be at work, though the townspeople gradually recover their courage in daylight.

Mrs Jamieson’s Departure for Cheltenham

Mrs Jamieson is deeply affected by Carlo’s death, feeling it as keenly as her husband’s passing. With her appetite and sleep both disturbed—unusual for her—Mr Mulliner urges a change of scene. She departs for Cheltenham, escorted by Mr Mulliner, who had been alarmed by the attempted break-in and felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of defending so many women.

Lady Glenmire’s Stay at the Jamieson Household

Lady Glenmire remains at Mrs Jamieson’s house during her absence, her stated purpose being to prevent the maid-servants from picking up followers. The arrangement suits her well, as she has let her own house in Edinburgh and needs accommodation. She finds the situation agreeable and notes that Mrs Jamieson’s trip to Cheltenham is the best possible arrangement for everyone.

Miss Pole’s Exaggerated Robber Gang Descriptions

Miss Pole delights in recounting her encounter with what she calls a “murderous gang” of two men and a woman, embellishing the tale with each telling. The tall man grows to gigantic height with black elf-locks; the short, broad man develops a hump and carroty red hair with a squint. The woman transforms into a masculine virago, and later acquires a beard, manly voice, and stride—possibly even a man in disguise.

Robbery of Local Surgeon Mr Hoggins

Mr Hoggins, the local surgeon, is attacked at his own door by two ruffians hiding in the shadow of the porch. They rob him in the brief interval between his ringing the bell and the servant’s arrival. Miss Pole visits him the next day to question him, certain that “her men” are responsible, and brings the news back to the others while the community is still buzzing with agitation.

KAPITEL X.

In Chapter X of Cranford, Miss Pole visits Miss Matty and the narrator to discuss recent unsettling events in the neighbourhood, accusing Mr Hoggins of dishonesty regarding a robbery at his door. The ladies then plan to honour Mrs Forrester’s wedding-day anniversary by travelling through the dreaded Darkness Lane. After their journey, the women share their private fears and nighttime precautions, while Mrs Forrester’s servant Jenny recounts a chilling encounter with a headless lady. The chapter ends with the friends hurrying home by way of the safer, if muddier, Headingley Causeway.

Miss Pole’s Commentary on Men

Miss Pole arrives in a decided mood and delivers a sweeping diatribe against men, whom she accuses of wishing to be thought as strong as Samson and as wise as Solomon. She claims that men always claim to have foreseen events after the fact but never warn anyone beforehand, and her remarks silence the other ladies into a general murmur of agreement that the sex is very incomprehensible.

Miss Pole Accuses Mr Hoggins of Deception

Miss Pole accuses Mr Hoggins, the surgeon-dentist, of dishonesty after risking a tooth extraction only to be told that no robbery occurred at his house. She insists Betty’s account of an armed thief was true and suspects the Irishman who had earlier spied on her house. The narrator and Miss Matty condemn Mr Hoggins’s lack of candour and use him as a general target for their complaints about men.

Planning the Visit to Mrs Forrester’s Anniversary

The ladies turn to the question of whether to accept Mrs Forrester’s invitation to her wedding-day celebration, given the unsafe roads. Mrs Forrester has suggested that one of them use a sedan chair while the others walk briskly beside it to Over Place, a small cluster of houses beyond the dark and lonely lane. Although all would rather decline, they feel loyal to their friend and resolve to keep the appointment.