“All about a dog’s tail cut off.  Better off than on—­so much the less mange on the snarling cur.”

This was touching up Vanslyperken on the raw; but he had a great object in view, and he restrained his feelings.

“I was wrong, mother—­very wrong—­but I have done all I can, I have begged your pardon.  I came here for your advice and assistance.”

“What advice or assistance can you expect from a blind old woman?” retorted the old hag.  “And what advice or assistance does so undutiful a child deserve?”

It was some time before the ruffled temper of the beldame could be appeased:  at last, Vanslyperken succeeded.  He then entered into a detail of all that had passed, and concluded by observing, “that as Smallbones was not to be injured by mortal man, he had come to her for assistance.”

“That is to say—­you have come to me to ask me to knock the lad’s brains out—­to take away his life—­to murder him, in fact.  Say, Cornelius, is it not so?”

“It is exactly so, my dearest mother.  I know your courage—­your—­”

“Yes, yes, I understand all that; but, now hear me, child.  There are deeds which are done, and which I have done, but those deeds are only done upon strong impulses.  Murder is one, but people murder for two reasons only—­for revenge and for gold.  People don’t do such acts as are to torture their minds here, and perhaps be punished hereafter—­that is, if there be one, child.  I say, people don’t do such deeds as these, merely because a graceless son comes to them, and says, ’if you please, mother.’  Do you understand that, child?  I’ve blood enough on my hands already—­good blood too—­they are not defiled with the scum of a parish boy, nor shall they be, without—­”

“Without what, mother?”

“Have I not told you, Cornelius, that there are but two great excitements—­revenge and gold?  I have no revenge against the lad.  If you have—­if you consider that a dog’s, tail demands a human victim—­well and good—­do the deed yourself.”

“I would,” cried Vanslyperken, “but I have tried in vain.  It must be done by woman.”

“Then hear me, Cornelius; if it must be done by woman, you must find a woman to do it, and you must pay her for the deed.  Murder is at a high price.  You apply to me—­I am content to do the deed; but I must have gold—­and plenty too.”

Vanslyperken paused before he replied.  The old woman had charge of all his money—­she was on the verge of the grave—­for what could she require his gold?—­could she be so foolish?—­it was insanity.  Vanslyperken was right—­it was insanity, for avarice is no better.

“Do you mean, mother,” replied Vanslyperken, “that you want gold from me?”

“From whom else?” demanded the old woman sharply.

“Take it, then, mother—­take as many pieces as you please.”

“I must have all that there is in that chest, Cornelius.”

“All, mother?”