Chapter 35

Asa had risen in the afternoon, complaining to himself about the noise being made by the convicts in the yard. His peevishness vanished, however, after a cold wash, and he sang as he stood looking out at one of the windows and brushing his hair: “_When I die and am buried deep, “I’ll return at night to take a peep “At those who hated me. “I’ll ha’nt their homes and spoil their sleep, “Chill their blood, the skin will creep, “On those who--_” Asa’s song ended there--ended in a horrible gurgle. A …