'I am, Turk; in the deepest, most terrible trouble. I am utterly, utterly wretched. I have nothing in the world worth living for.'
'It's bad when it comes to that,' he said, with an expression of deep concern. 'Money?'
'No, Turk.'
'Heart?'
My silence was a sufficient answer.
Is the trouble of such a nature that it may be confided to a friend--to a friend with a kindred soul, Chris, my boy?'
'I will tell you about it presently, Turk. Go on with your own story first.'
'In one act, then. Without detail. Since that ever-to-be-remembered night when a strong verdict was pronounced against me on the other side of Temple Bar--in which direction, by the bye, I see we are walking now--and when I determined to relinquish the profession in which I glory--I do, Chris, I glory in it; and you can hardly have an idea of the sacrifice I have made in giving it up--I have been looking about me. Not having been born with that silver spoon in my mouth, I can't afford to be idle. Well, to be brief, something that will suit me has come in my way, and I have snatched at the chance. The affair will be settled to-morrow. Near the theatre in which I made my first and last appearance in the new and original drama which was played for the first and last time is a theatrical wig and hair shop, with a shaving connection attached. To-morrow that shop and that connection will be mine. That's the head and front of my story. But there's something more. I have a friend of yours to thank for it all.'
'A friend of mine!'
'Two, I may say--one fair, one dark. I do perceive here a divided duty. But we'll speak of that anon.'