"Now, Asa, richly do you deserve to be left with an earthen bed this
blessed night!" the woman began to mutter, with a revolution in her
feelings, that will not be surprising to those who have made the
contradictions that give variety to the human character a study. "And
a hard one I've a mind it shall be! Why Abner; Abner; you Abner, do
you sleep? Let me not see you dare to open the hole, till I get down.
I will know who it is that wishes to disturb a peaceable, ay, and an
honest family too, at such a time in the night as this!"
"Woman!" exclaimed a voice, that intended to bluster, while the
speaker was manifestly a little apprehensive of the consequences;
"Woman, I forbid you on pain of the law to project any of your
infernal missiles. I am a citizen, and a freeholder, and a graduate of
two universities; and I stand upon my rights! Beware of malice
prepense, of chance-medley, and of manslaughter. It is I--your amicus;
a friend and inmate. I--Dr. Obed Battius."
"Who?" demanded Esther, in a voice that nearly refused to convey her
words to the ears of the anxious listener beneath.
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