“Finding that I was firm, he dropped his hand, and went out; but I can assure you I was frightened at the time.
“He had a way of creeping and crawling about, and of coming upon you suddenly unawares; and I cannot describe to you how he seemed to wriggle himself inside the door, or the terrible expression on his face.
“He seemed more like an evil spirit than a man. I have told you that when we knew him first we thought him a rather nice old man; but I soon found out, after he had taken against me, that we were sadly mistaken in our impression of him.
“He turned against me solely because he could not make me do as he wanted. I would not have done as he wished for anything in this world. He wanted me to be an accomplice in his doings.
“That has been his endeavour all through, and because he could not succeed he turned round on me and was determined to have his revenge. He thought he could handle me as he liked, that I was a weak sort of a woman, and could be got over like others who have been associated with him; but he found he was mistaken.
“I was terribly tried by him, though, and at last I was frightened—I don’t deny it. There have been times when I haven’t feared him, and when I should have thrashed him if Mr. Dyson would have allowed me.
“I once did give him a good hiding, because he had insulted and annoyed me, but perhaps I had better not say much about that now. I used to be especially afraid of him at nights, because he had a habit of continually prowling about the house, and of turning up suddenly. He would, too, assume all sorts of disguises.
“He used to boast how effectually he could disguise himself; and I was afraid of his coming in some guise or other at night, and carrying out his threats.
“He was very determined. I never saw anything like it in my life. I have been about a good deal, but I never saw such determination and persistency as he has. It seems to me there was scarcely anything which he couldn’t accomplish if only he was determined to succeed.
“He once said, ‘I never am beaten when I have made up my mind. If I make up my mind to a thing, I’m bound to have it, even if it cost me my life.’ You could not shake him off, do what you might. The only way to get rid of him was to knock him down as I once did.