"There I've found it out at last!" cried Hindley, pulling me back by the skin of the neck, like a dog, "By Heaven and Hell, you've sworn between you to murder that child! I know how it is, now, that he is always out of my way. But, with the help of Satan, I shall make you swallow the carving knife, Nelly! you needn't laugh; for I've just crammed Kenneth head-downmost, in the Blackhorse marsh; and two is the same as one—and I want to kill some of you, I shall have no rest till I do!"
"But I don't like the carving knife, Mr. Hindley;" I answered, it has been cutting red herrings—I'd rather be shot if you please."
"You'd rather be damned!" he said, "and so you shall—No law in England can hinder a man from keeping his house decent, and mine's abominable! open your mouth."
He held the knife in his hand, and pushed its point between my teeth: but, for my part I was never much afraid of his vagaries. I
