Sabotage families

Funny how the Verlocs' family is made up of three units (husband, young
wife, younger brother) and the Professor's is too (father, young
daughter, younger grand-daughter) .. almost prompting one (well, me
anyway) to wonder if the latter are intended as a kind of parallel or
comment on the former.

One interesting observation is, I think, that the youngest in each is
missing a father, the Professor pointing out to Verloc that he doesn't
know where he is .. 'She doesn't know .. No one knows .. Oh well, its
her cross to bear ..'. Saying that its "her" cross to bear means the
Professor is conveniently absolving himself of any responsibility
regarding the child. The very same could be said of Mr. Verloc himself.

Fergal #.