Hard Times, Book 2: Reaping, Chapter 10 summary
Book 2: Reaping, Chapter 10 of 37 · 7 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 10, Mrs. Sparsit imagines Louisa descending a staircase toward disgrace and eagerly watches her growing closeness to James Harthouse. Bounderby reports no progress in the robbery investigation, while Harthouse encourages Louisa to accept the absent suspect’s guilt and presents himself as her trusted friend.
What happens
- After several weeks at Bounderby’s country home, Mrs. Sparsit receives an invitation to return every weekend during fine weather.
- Mrs. Sparsit imagines a staircase ending in disgrace and pictures Louisa constantly descending it.
- Bounderby says the robbery investigation remains quiet, with Tom helping and an old woman still not arrested.
- Mrs. Sparsit observes Louisa and Harthouse together in the garden but cannot hear their conversation.
- Harthouse argues that the suspected man probably steals when opportunity offers, and Louisa feels relieved by his reasoning.
- Louisa walks away on Harthouse’s arm, while Mrs. Sparsit continues watching eagerly without intending to intervene.
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Why does Bounderby want the robbery investigation kept quiet?
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