"Oh, I forgot for a moment that I am a thief in the world's estimation."
"That last remark of mine was about equal to a kick, wasn't it?"
"A little worse."
"Ain't you used to 'em yet?"
"I ought to be."
"Why, do many speak out as plain as that?"
"They act it out just as plainly. Since you don't trust me, you had better watch me, lest I put some cord-wood in my pocket."
"What do you want to do?"
"If the world is going to insist upon it that I am a scoundrel to the end of the chapter, I want to find some deep water, and get under it," was the reckless reply.
"A-a-h! Didn't I say we respectable people and the devil was in partnership over you? He wants to get you under deep water as soon as possible, and we're all a-helpin' him along. Young man, I am afraid of you, like the rest, and it seems to me that I think more of my old duds here than of your immortal soul that the devil has almost got. But I'm goin' to spite him and myself for once. I'm goin' down town after the evenin' paper, and, instead of lockin' up, as I usually do, I shall leave you in charge. I know it's risky, and I hate to do it, but it seems to me that you ought ter have sense enough to know that if you take all I've got you would be jest that much wuss off;" and before Haldane could remonstrate or reply he took a curiously twisted and gnarled cane that resembled himself and departed.