Pagina 191 de 1294

Trying to untie the string and turning to the window, to the

light (all her windows were shut, in spite of the stifling heat),

she left him altogether for some seconds and stood with her back

to him. He unbuttoned his coat and freed the axe from the noose,

but did not yet take it out altogether, simply holding it in his

right hand under the coat. His hands were fearfully weak, he felt

them every moment growing more numb and more wooden. He was

afraid he would let the axe slip and fall.... A sudden giddiness

came over him.

"But what has he tied it up like this for?" the old woman cried

with vexation and moved towards him.

He had not a minute more to lose. He pulled the axe quite out,

swung it with both arms, scarcely conscious of himself, and

almost without effort, almost mechanically, brought the blunt

side down on her head. He seemed not to use his own strength in

this. But as soon as he had once brought the axe down, his

strength returned to him.