I can' t quite match 1697, but this is from East of Eden:
"And Tom had cut Mollie's tongue with his pocket-knife, and dies in his heart when he realized his courage."

There is another more graphic description of the incident in the book, but I can' find it quite at this moment.

Eithne Murray

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome