"All this I swear," continued the huntsman, mockingly.
The axe descended; but it passed through the form of the hunter, and my father lost his balance, and fell heavily on the floor.
"Mortal!" said the hunter, striding over my father's body, "we have power over those only who have committed murder. You have been guilty of a double murder—you shall pay the penalty attached to your marriage vow. Two of your children are gone; the third is yet to follow—and follow them he will, for your oath is registered. Go—it were kindness to kill thee—your punishment is—that you live!"
THE WITHERED ARM
Thomas Hardy
A Lorn Milkmaid
It was an eighty-cow dairy, and the troop of milkers, regular and supernumerary, were all at work; for, though the time of year was as yet but early April, the feed lay entirely in water-meadows, and the cows were "in full pail." The hour was about six in the evening, and three-fourths of the large, red, rectangular animals having been finished off, there was opportunity for a little conversation.
"He do bring home his bride tomorrow, I hear. They've come as far as Anglebury today."