“Do not be in any way alarmed—I have not committed any dreadful crime. Do I look a man likely to do such a thing?”
“I can’t say you do, but appearances are often deceptive. What are you charged with?”
“Oh, a mere trifle. Deserting my wife and children. The fact is, I have been out of work, but now I am doing very well, and intend to rejoin my family. But if I am caught it will be my ruin, for my employer will, in all probability, discharge me. I will pay you handsomely for the accommodation if you will only let me remain here.”
The woman, who was naturally kind-hearted, hesitated.
“It is a most extraordinary thing you entering the house in the way you have done. I don’t know what to say about it.”
“Take pity on me. You will not refuse. I am known to some of your neighbours, who will answer for my respectability.”
“Who do you know, then?”
“Mr. Simmonds; he will tell you all about me.”
“Ah, Mr. Simmonds—eh?” returned the woman, in dubious accents.
“Yes. Do you know him?”