It was a protection to him; for Wood would often rebuke the lad for using Hayes ill: and both Catherine and Tom treated the old man with deference.
At last--it was after he had collected a good deal of his money--Hayes began to reason with himself, "Why should I stay ?--stay to be insulted by that boy, or murdered by him?
He is ready for any crime." He determined to fly.

He would send Catherine money every year.

No--she had the furniture; let her let lodgings--that would support her.

He would go, and live away, abroad in some cheap place--away from that boy and his horrible threats.

The idea of freedom was agreeable to the poor wretch; and he began to wind up his affairs as quickly as he could.
Hayes would now allow no one to make his bed or enter his room; and Wood could hear him through the panels fidgeting perpetually to and fro, opening and shutting of chests, and clinking of coin.