Summary

The chapter begins as Lucy steps inside the castle gates and gets his first look at Mr. Olderglough. The majordomo is 60, skeletal, and wearing a decrepit old suit of velvet with mismatched buttons and stains all along the lapels. On top of this, Mr. Olderglough’s right arm is in a sling and his knuckles are bruised and scabbed.

In addition to his unpleasant appearance, Mr. Olderglough is in a foul mood. Just as the previous chapter ended, Mr. Olderglough shouted at Lucy through the castle’s gates to: “push the fucking door” open (47). Now, he apologizes to Lucy for his vulgar language, explaining that he awoke to find himself in a bad mood. His day has not improved since, and Mr. Olderglough blames the whole affair on a bad nightmare he had during the night.

Lucy asks Mr. Olderglough whether he...