Yvonne Antrobus: Gertrude

Quotes 

• Conjuror Trendle : You must touch with the limb the neck of a man who's been hanged.

  Conjuror Trendle : Before he's cold - just after he's cut down,

  Gertrude : How can that do good?

  Conjuror Trendle : It will turn the blood and change the constitution. But, as I say, to do it is hard. You must go to the jail when there's a hanging, and wait for him when he's brought off the gallows. Lots have done it, though perhaps not such pretty women as you. I used to send dozens for skin complaints. But that was in former times. The last I sent was in '13 - near twelve years ago.

• Gertrude : What time is the execution?

  Hangman : The same as usual - twelve o'clock, or as soon after as the London mail-coach gets in. We always wait for that, in case of a reprieve.

  Gertrude : Oh, a reprieve, I hope not!

  Hangman : Well, hee, hee! As a matter of business, so do I! But still, if ever a young fellow deserved to be let off, this one does; only just turned eighteen, and only present by chance when the rick was fired. Howsomever, there's not much risk of that, as they are obliged to make an example of him, there having been so much destruction of property that way lately.

  Gertrude : I mean,that I want to touch him for a charm, a cure of an affliction, by the advice of a man who has proved the virtue of the remedy.

  Hangman : Oh, yes, miss! Now I understand. I've had such people come in past years. But it didn't strike me that you looked of a sort to require blood-turning. What's the complaint? The wrong kind for this, I'll be bound.