Idiom and Foreshadowing in “The Landlady”

Idioms The landlady appeared to be slightly off her rocker. “How time does fly from us all, doesn’t it, Mr. Wilkins?” “In one ear and out the other, that’s me, Mr. Weaver.” This dame was like a jack-in-the-box. He pressed the bell—and out she popped!

Foreshadowing The landlady says she was “ready” for Billy, and she says he is exactly right. There have only been 2 other gentlemen who have stayed at the Bed and Breakfast; they both looked like Billy. Billy thinks he remembers the 2 gentlemen, perhaps in the headlines. The landlady changes the subject every time he brings it up. The landlady offers Billy more tea several times. The tea tastes like bitter almonds. The dog and parrot are both dead. We discover that the 2 gentlemen had never left.