But for years now she has been quite able to look after herself . And so , if I fare forth on the last great adventure some of these days Tamzine will not be left helpless . '' `` She is ten years older than you . It is likely she will go before you , '' I said . Abel shook his head and stroked his smart beard . I always suspected that beard of being Abel 's last surviving vanity . It was always so carefully groomed , while I had no evidence that he ever combed his grizzled mop of hair . `` No , Tamzine will outlive me . She 's got the Armstrong heart . I have the Marwood heart -- my mother was a Marwood . We do n't live to be old , and we go quick and easy . I 'm glad of it . I do n't think I 'm a coward , master , but the thought of a lingering death gives me a queer sick feeling of horror . There , I 'm not going to say any more about it . I just mentioned it so that some day when you hear that old Abel Armstrong has been found dead , you wo n't feel sorry . You 'll remember I wanted it that way . Not that I 'm tired of life either . It 's very pleasant , what with my garden and Captain Kidd and the harbour out there . But it 's a trifle monotonous at times and death will be something of a change , master . I 'm real curious about it . ''
`` I hate the thought XXXXX death , '' I said gloomily .
about at for if of out than that to while