“It was the custom, rigidly adhered to," Luke said, turning the brandy in his glass, "for the public executioner, before a quartering, to outline his knife strokes in chalk upon the belly of his victim--for fear of a slip, you understand." I would like to hit her with a stick, Eleanor thought, looking down on Theodora's head beside her chair; I would like to batter her with rocks. "An exquisite refinement, exquisite. Because of course the chalk strokes would have been almost unbearable, excruciating, if the victim were ticklish." I hate her, Eleanor thought, she sickens me; she is all washed and clean and wearing my red sweater. "When the death was hanging by chains, however, the executioner..." "Nell?" Theodora looked up at her and smiled. "I really am sorry, you know," she said. I would like to watch her dying, Eleanor thought, and smiled back and said, "Don't be silly.”
Quote by Shirley Jackson
Work
Shirley Jackson's classic novel delves into the eerie and unexplainable events that take place within the walls of Hill House, a secluded and ominous mansion. The story follows a group of individuals who are invited to stay at the house to study its supposed paranormal activity, leading to a chilling and suspenseful exploration of the human psyche and the supernatural. more
Author
Shirley Jackson (December 14, 1916 – August 8, 1965) was an American author whose dark and unsettling stories have left a lasting impact on the horror genre. Known for her psychological insights and the way she intertwines the supernatural with everyday life, Jackson's work has been widely celebrated for its originality and depth. more
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