irritated--that I
knew not what I was saying."

"Blind old woman, indeed!" repeated the beldame.

"I again beg you to forgive me, dearest mother," continued Vanslyperken.

"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--a