`` it 's only-well , she did say as she meant to cleave him from crown to crutch wi ' her ax if he didna leave off , and he said no woman would speak to him in that manner , and she does have an ax ... '' accustomed to mr. wemyss 's methods of communication , jamie sighed , reached out for the whisky flask , uncorked it , and took a deep , sustaining swig .