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.