A fearful expression filled his ugly features.
His voice altered.
"You're the Devil!" he said; "THE DEVIL! THE DEVIL! The missus brought
you--ah-h-h!"
The snake's head passed behind the looking-glass. Jack drew nearer,
clenching his fists and gesticulating. As he did he came full before the
looking-glass and saw, perhaps for the first time in his life, his own
image. An unearthly howl came from him. "ME FATHER!" he shouted, and
bolted from the house.
Dad came in with the long-handled shovel, swung it about the room, and
smashed pieces off the cradle, and tore the bed-curtains down, and made a
great noise altogether. Finally, he killed the snake and put it on the
fire; and Joe and the cat watched it wriggle on the hot coals.
Meanwhile, Jack, bare-headed, rushed across the yard. He ran over little
Bill, and tumbled through the wire-fence on to the broad of his back.
He roared like a wild beast, clutched at space, spat, and kicked his heels
in the air.
"Let me up!---AH-H-H!--let go me throat!" he hissed.
The dog ran over and barked at him. He found his feet again, and, making
off, ran through the wheat, glancing back over his shoulder as he tore
along.
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