“Would to heaven I had had thee for my man this three years since.”
“Perhaps I would not have been thy man.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have been my own man ever since I was born, and am well content with myself for my master.”
“Shall I bind up thy leg?” asked Hereward, having no more to say, and not wishing to kill the man.
“No. It will grow again, like a crab’s claw.”
“Thou art a fiend.” And Hereward turned away, sulky, and half afraid.
“Very like. No man knows what a devil he is, till he tries.”
“What dost mean?” and Hereward turned angrily back.
“Fiends we are all, till God’s grace comes.”