She heard it also, and, stooping, lifted the little creature and held it to her breast.
"Let her go!" said a voice from the crowd.

"She is a witch and will bring ill-luck upon us." At the sound Pereira seemed to awake.

With a hideous oath he flung himself from the chair and waddled down the steps towards his victim.
"Curse you, you slut!" he said, "do you think to frighten men with your threats?
Let God help you if He can.

The Yellow Devil is god here.

You are as much in my power as this brute," and he snatched the kitten from her arms and dashed it to the ground.