The Master Builder listened with interest and sighed at the same time.

Perhaps he was contrasting the nature of his neighbour's wife with that of his own.

How would Madam have acted had her child come to her in such a plight?
Harmer then told his neighbour the rules he was about to lay down for his own household, all of which the Master Builder, who was a keen practical man, cordially approved.

He was himself likely soon to be in a great strait, for most probably he would be appointed in due course to serve as an examiner of health, and would of necessity come into contact with those who had been amongst the sick, even if not with the infected themselves, and how his wife would bear such a thing as that he scarce dared to think.

Business, too, was at a standstill, all except the carpentering branch, and that was only busy with coffins.