he knew from experience that one blow could slice open the knuckles , could bruise the very bones . the way he looked at her made her tremble . i breathed a sigh of relief as we sat down . most of the story she told you was true , except that she really was your great-grandmother . before i could say yes , or even hell-to-the-no , she grabbed me by the arm and tugged me into the house . `` now what to do with you ? '' he meant it , she did n't doubt him . 