"And you've grown!" he added, as we shook hands.
"But Ben, I thought you were married and settled?"
He turned his eyes away uneasily.
"Whoever said so told you a thundering lie."
"Nobody told me," said I; "but when you left me, I understood—"
"My lad," he interrupted hoarsely, "I couldn't do it. I went straight back, same as you saw me start—now don't say a word till you've heard the end o't!—I went straight back, and up to door without once looking back. There was a nice brass knocker to the door (I never denied the woman had some good qualities); so I fixed my eyes hard on it and said to myself, if there's peace to be found in this world—which was a Bible text that came into my head—the heart that is humble, which is the case with me, may look for it here. And with that I shut my eyes and let fly at it, though every knock brought my heart into my mouth. Now guess: who d'ye think answered the door? Why, that ghastly boy of hers! There he stood, all freckles and pimples; and says he, grinning:"
'Mr. Benjamin Jope
Moderately well, I hope.'
'Mr. Benjamin Jope
Moderately well, I hope.'
"I couldn't stand it. I turned tail and ran for my life."
"But was that quite honourable?" I asked.