TLDR;
"The Landlady" by Roald Dahl tells the story of Billy Weaver, a young man traveling to Bath for work, who finds lodging at a seemingly charming bed and breakfast. The landlady appears welcoming, but odd details and peculiarities begin to surface, such as the fact that she is overly prepared for guests, her only other guests have been there for years, and her pets are all stuffed. The story creates a suspenseful atmosphere, hinting at a sinister fate awaiting Billy.
- Billy Weaver, a young man, travels to Bath for a new job.
- He is drawn to a bed and breakfast run by a peculiar landlady.
- The landlady's odd behavior and the revelation about her previous guests create a suspenseful atmosphere.
- The story hints at a dark fate for Billy as he uncovers the landlady's secrets.
Billy's Arrival in Bath [0:20]
Billy Weaver, a seventeen-year-old, travels from London to Bath by train on a cold evening. He seeks lodging and is directed towards the Bell and Dragon pub. However, he notices a "Bed and Breakfast" sign in a brightly lit window of a house. The inviting scene includes yellow chrysanthemums, green curtains, a warm fire, a sleeping dachshund, a baby grand piano, a big sofa, several plump armchairs, and a parrot in a cage, which makes him reconsider his initial plan to stay at the pub.
The Allure of the Bed and Breakfast [1:52]
Billy contemplates the pros and cons of staying at a pub versus a boarding house. While a pub offers beer, darts, and company, Billy finds himself strangely drawn to the bed and breakfast. Despite his initial apprehension about boarding houses, he is captivated by the "bed and breakfast" sign, which seems to compel him to approach the house. He finds himself ringing the doorbell.
An Unusually Quick Welcome [4:52]
The door is immediately opened by a woman around 45 or 50 years old, who greets Billy with a warm smile and invites him in. She is overly prepared and welcoming, stating that a room is already ready for him. Billy mentions his intention to go to the Bell and Dragon, but the landlady insists he come in from the cold. She offers a fantastically cheap rate of five and sixpence a night, including breakfast, or slightly less without an egg.
Inside the Boarding House [6:40]
Billy is welcomed into the house, which feels like visiting a friend's mother during the Christmas holidays. The landlady takes his hat and coat, noting that he will have the place to himself. She mentions that she is choosy about her guests and is pleased to have found someone "exactly right." She leads him upstairs, showing him to a charming front bedroom with a hot-water bottle in the bed. She asks him to sign the guest book in the sitting room before bed, stating that it is the law of the land.
The Guest Book [9:50]
After unpacking, Billy goes to the living room to sign the guest book. He notices only two other entries: Christopher Mulholland from Cardiff and Gregory W. Temple from Bristol. The names sound familiar to him. As he ponders where he might have heard the names before, the landlady enters with a tea tray, calling Mulholland and Temple "charming boys."
Familiar Names and Old Entries [11:59]
Billy expresses that the names Christopher Mulholland and Gregory Temple are familiar to him, possibly from the newspapers. The landlady describes them as extraordinarily handsome, tall, and young, just like Billy. Billy notices that the last entry in the guest book is over two years old, and Mulholland's entry is nearly a year before that, more than three years ago. The landlady apologizes for forgetting his name, calling him "Mr. Wilkins" before correcting herself to "Mr. Weaver."
Tea and Ginger Biscuits [13:16]
Billy finds it extraordinary that he remembers both names and that they seem connected. The landlady dismisses his thoughts and invites him to sit with her for tea and a ginger biscuit. As she prepares the tea, Billy observes her quick, white hands and red fingernails. He is sure he saw the names in the newspaper and tries to recall the context.
Conversations and Contradictions [14:31]
Billy tries to place the name Mulholland, wondering if he was an Eton schoolboy. The landlady denies this, stating that her Mr. Mulholland was a Cambridge undergraduate. She insists he sit next to her by the fire and have his tea. Billy slowly sits on the edge of the sofa, and she places the teacup in front of him.
Tea with a Peculiar Smell [15:15]
As Billy sips his tea, he notices the landlady watching him intently. He catches a whiff of a peculiar smell emanating from her, reminiscent of pickled walnuts, new leather, or a hospital corridor. The landlady mentions that Mr. Mulholland loved tea. Billy asks if he left recently, still trying to place the names.
The Chilling Revelation [16:14]
The landlady reveals that Mr. Mulholland and Mr. Temple are still there, on the third floor. Billy is taken aback. The landlady pats his knee and comments on his age, noting that Mr. Mulholland was also seventeen. She compliments Billy's beautiful teeth. She mentions that Mr. Temple was 28 and had skin like a baby.
Stuffed Pets and Bitter Almonds [17:32]
Billy notices the parrot and realizes it is stuffed. He then realizes the dachshund is also stuffed, its back hard and cold. He compliments the landlady's skill in stuffing animals. She says she does it herself. Billy declines another cup of tea, noting it tastes faintly of bitter almonds.
The Final Realization [19:13]
The landlady confirms that Billy signed the guest book, which she uses to remember her guests' names. Billy asks if there have been any other guests in the last two or three years besides Mulholland and Temple. The landlady smiles gently and says, "No, my dear, only you."