You may do as
you please with him, or his, provided that you show no mercy, and no
quarter, and leave no two beams of his house standing where the builder
placed them. You may sack it, burn it, do with it as you like, but
it must come down; it must be razed to the ground; and he, and all
belonging to him, left as shelterless as new-born infants whom their
mothers have exposed. Do you understand me?' said Gashford, pausing, and
pressing his hands together gently.
'Understand you, master!' cried Hugh. 'You speak plain now. Why, this is
hearty!'
'I knew you would like it,' said Gashford, shaking him by the hand; 'I
thought you would. Good night! Don't rise, Dennis: I would rather find
my way alone. I may have to make other visits here, and it's pleasant
to come and go without disturbing you. I can find my way perfectly well.
Good night!'
He was gone, and had shut the door behind him. They looked at each
other, and nodded approvingly: Dennis stirred up the fire.
'This looks a little more like business!' he said.
'Ay, indeed!' cried Hugh; 'this suits me!'
'I've heerd it said of Muster Gashford,' said the hangman, 'that he'd
a surprising memory and wonderful firmness--that he never forgot, and
never forgave.
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