He hated her because Clem bade him do so. He hated her because her
suffering rebuked him, because he must needs be at the cost of
keeping her alive, because he was bound to her.
As she moved painfully about the room he watched her with cruel,
dangerous eyes. There was a thought tormenting his brain, a
terrifying thought he had pledged himself not to dismiss, and it
seemed to exasperate him against Pennyloaf. He had horrible
impulses, twitches along his muscles; every second the restraint of
keeping in one position grew more unendurable, yet he feared to
move.
Pennyloaf had the ill-luck to drop a saucer, and it broke on the
floor. In the same instant he leapt up and sprang on her, seized her
brutally by the shoulders and flung her with all his force against
the nearest wall. At her scream the child set up a shrill cry, and
this increased his rage. With his clenched fist he dealt blow after
blow at the half-prostrate woman, speaking no word, but uttering a
strange sound, such as might come from some infuriate animal.
Pennyloaf still screamed, till at length the door was thrown open
and their neighbour, Mrs. Griffin, showed herself.
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