"I've been thinking of you a good deal, Esther, in the last few days. I want to ask you to marry me."
Esther did not answer.
"Will you?" he said.
"I can't; I'm very sorry; don't ask me."
"Why can't you?"
"If I told you I don't think you'd want to marry me. I suppose I'd better tell you. I'm not the good woman you think me. I've got a child. There, you have it now, and you can take your hook when you like."
It was her blunt, sullen nature that had spoken; she didn't care if he left her on the spot—now he knew all and could do as he liked. At last, he said—
"But you've repented, Esther?"
"I should think I had, and been punished too, enough for a dozen children."
"Ah, then it wasn't lately?"