"Landlady" Summary

"Landlady" Summary
“The Landlady” by Roald Dahl is a great example of a horror story that you don’t realize is a horror story until the very end.

Our story begins with young Billy Weaver. He traveled from London to Bath, and it had gotten late. When searching for somewhere to stay the night, the porter recommended the Bell and Dragon for lodging, a quarter-mile from his current position.

While walking to the Bell and Dragon, Billy was distracted by a nice looking bed and breakfast. The inside was furbished nicely, but Billy decided that he would go to the Bell and Dragon anyhow. Suddenly, the letters in the window – Bed and Breakfast – caught his eye. He couldn’t look away and finally went to ring the bell. However, literally as soon as he rang the bell, the door opened and inside stood an old, gentle-looking woman.

The woman promptly invited him inside, offering a fee of five and sixpence, much cheaper than the Bell and Dragon. Billy’s first impression of the old woman was that she was terribly nice, but slightly dotty. He also finds it odd that the boardinghouse is not filled with applicants, but just shrugs off any bad premonitions he has.

The old woman takes Billy up to his room, then offers him dinner, which Billy refuses. The landlady then adds that he must go downstairs and sign the guestbook, because it is the law. He agrees, then gets settled in the room before finally heading down to sitting room to sign the guestbook.

The first thing he notices is the fire in the hearth and the dachshund sleeping in front of it. He found the guestbook and signed it, noticing that there were only two entries before his – Christopher Mulholland and Gregory Temple. As he is studying the book, the landlady walks into the room carrying a large silver tea tray. She sits down on the sofa and offers some tea to Billy as he continues thinking aloud about where he had heard the two names in the guestbook before.

The first odd clue he notices is the fact that Gregory Temple’s entry was dated two years previously, and Chris Mulholland’s was dated a year before that one! Suspicion abounds, as Billy gets closer to finding out the truth. Then, Billy remembers a story about a young man disappearing while on a cross-country trip – the young man being Christopher Mulholland. Billy inquires about Mulholland’s whereabouts as of late, and the landlady tells him that neither Mulholland nor Temple had ever left the establishment. We then find out that the dachshund and a parrot in the den are both stuffed and that the woman did it herself. The story ends with Billy double-checking about any other guests, with the woman simply replying “No, my dear… only you.”. There's also a scent of faint bitter almonds, which is a characteristic of cyanide.

Malaysian English vs British English

Who says our English is teruk. Ours is simple,short,concise, straight-to-point and very effective.
etc. The English did invent the English Language, but they cannot use it economically when communicating their intentions. Compare these phrases that Malaysians and Britons use to say the same thing: So, why make things so confusing and waste of money when you are and a long distance call.

WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS
Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.
Malaysians: No Stock.


RETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone page for me a few moments ago?

Malaysians: Hallo, who page?


ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY
Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?

Malaysians: S-kew me


WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY
Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.

Malaysians:No-need, lah.


WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?

Malaysians: (pointing the door) can ar?


WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home.

Malaysians: Don't be shy, lah!


WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Malaysians: Where got?


WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.

Malaysians: Doe-waaaan!


IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.

Malaysians: You mad, ah?


WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE
Britons: Excuse me, but could you please ! lower your voice, I'm trying to concentrate over here.
Malaysians: Shaddap lah!


WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU
Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time. Do I know you?

Malaysians: See what, see what?


WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.

Malaysians: Die-lah!!


WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?

Malaysians: Wat happen Why lidat????ADUI!!! (jumping to conclusion)


WHEN SOME ONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn't the way to do it here let me show you.

Malaysians:Hoi!!!u pig ar lidat also doe no how to do!!!!


WHEN SOMEONE PISS YOU OFF
Britons: That's a terrible thing you did...I am very disappointed with you
Malaysians: CHI-BAI!!

First Post!! (Hey, what do you expect, everyone has to write this =))

Opening speech....hmmmm....not quite the thing that i wanna do right now....but have thought about the name of the address to my blog quite long ago......kinda wasted not to use it ><

Looking forward to see me in the future looking back on this post and see how many I've gone through in life after I've posted this =)

LAMENESS