"The Hanover rat,--George!...

And the blight works--oh, it works, and the brain rots in his head and the maggots gnaw at his heart.

And they wonder why!...

an effectual fervent curse!--Oh, it works! For years and years I've cursed him night and day and--you see! Keep him in the dark, they said.

Let no man speak to him for a twelvemonth and a day, they said.