“Why did you come here—sir? There, I suppose I must say ‘sir’ to you—boy.”
“Speak naturally while I am here, Hanson. Yes, I am a boy yet; but you were a boy once.”
The man started slightly.
“Yes,” he said mockingly, “I was a boy once.”
“And very different then.”
“Look here, sir,” cried the man, “if you’ve come to preach, you may save yourself the trouble.”
“I’ve not come to preach, Hanson,” said Dick quietly, “and I have no wish to hurt your feelings by asking you how it was you went all wrong as you did; but isn’t it time all this came to an end?”
“Yes; and it’s coming to an end, and pretty soon, too, if they flog me.”
“They will, Hanson, for certain now, and I have come because I would do anything sooner than see it.”
“What is it to you?”