1)Edward swears at Mrs Lyons

• ' Mrs Lyons hits Edward hard and instinctively '


  She is quick-tempered and resorts to violence when angered . Lacking maternal qualities ?
• ' You are my son , mine ! '


  Mrs Lyons is growing paranoid they they don't have a mother / son bond and fears that he will find out the truth
• ' You know the devil's got your number ' 


  The narrator repeats this to emphasise Mrs Lyon's guilt / paranoia and the fact that she will get punished for what she has done