“If you’ll promise to kape the moon hid.”
“Anything to get rid of you,” I said; “but I pledge you my word of honour, if you break your promise I’ll throw you out of the window. Hear that! and to-morrow——”
But I checked myself. I had threatened enough. I might drive him frantic. There was no key to the door, and nothing could keep him from crawling in and cutting my throat, should I again fall asleep, but the bed or the chest of drawers against the door, neither of which I was able to stir.
He put the chair down cautiously, edged towards the window, watching me intently, whilst I backed from him as he approached, watching him intently, pulled down the sash, drew the curtains, and slided sideways towards the door.
“You’ll kape your word, sor?” he inquired.
“Yes, and you had better keep yours, or look out!”
He closed the door, and I was again left alone.
A long time passed before I fell asleep. I never expected for a moment that this madman would not once more pop his vile head in to see if the moon was hid, and lay for a great while in a state of passionate anxiety waiting for him to appear, that I might spring upon and beat him. Gradually the moonshine passed off the window, and the room grew dark. Then another kind of light began to creep upon the blind; it brightened and broadened; the sparrows twittered; and it was clear daylight when I dropped off into a very uneasy slumber.
I was awakened by the voice of O’Twist, informing me that it was half-past eight. I bade him in a stern voice, which I hoped would carry terror with it through the panels of the door, to bring me some hot water. But he had gone away. As I was in no temper to lie in bed, I jumped up, meaning to shave in cold water, then to hasten down-stairs, give Theresa (if she were up), a piece of my mind, wait until my uncle left his room, that I might acquaint him with the gross treatment to which I had been subjected by his servant, and then quit the house. But when I looked for my razor, it was gone! I was thunder-struck. I perfectly remembered leaving it on the toilet-table after unpacking my travelling bag, and I was equally sure it was in the same place when O’Twist first entered the room, for I recalled a cold shudder that had passed through me on reflecting what might happen should the maniac’s eye fasten upon the cold steel. Had he taken it? No doubt he had, and in all human probability with the intention of using it against me. What miraculous interposition of Providence had saved my throat?