Eugene Manlove Rhodes

“ I can sleep, read, think. But if you turn your head, if you close your eyes, if you so much as falter in your attention," said Jeff dispassionately, "my fingers will be at your throat to tear your life out for the dog that you are!" ”

“ He gave this information slowly, with dour satisfaction, checking each item by forcibly doubling down, with his fight hand, the fingers of his left. Having now doubled them all down, he undoubled them and began again.
"If you attempt to give any alarm, if you attempt to make any attack, if on any pretext you try to get near enough for a possible attack, we will kill you without hesitation." He rolled the phrase under his tongue with great relish.
"Your precautions are most flattering, I'm sure," said Jeff idly. "I must be very careful. ”

“ Look now!" He held up his hand, with three fingers still tightly closed to indicate three several unhesitancies. "Our last instruction was to treat you with ceeveelity and consideration, to give you any indulgence which would not endanger your safe keeping, to subject you to no indignity or abuse." He folded down the fourth finger and extended his closed hand, thrusting out his thumb reproachfully. "To no abuse!" he repeated.
"I am properly rebuked," said Jeff. "I withdraw the 'dog.' Let me amend the offending remark to read thus: to tear out your life without any hesitation. ”