“And I’m a man that stole something from you, and I’m come to bring it back again, and to ask your forgiveness.”
“Well, I’m sure I didn’t know it, and you’re welcome to it, whatever it was. It wouldn’t have been much good to me, you see. Keep it if you like, and say no more about it.” There was not much welcome nor forgiveness in his glance.
“But you see I’m to blame for the whole thing,” explained Murray gently, “and I want to tell you about it. Are you strong enough to listen today, or ought I to wait?”
“Go on!” growled the patient impatiently.
The nurse was still hovering, open-mouthed. This was too unusual a morsel of news to miss. She could not tear herself away.
“You see, I was a renegade anyway,” began Murray—
“What did you steal?” the patient interrupted, raising his voice nervously.
“I stole your name, and I stole your job, and I’ve been living at your boarding place, and using your things!”
“Well, you certainly did a smashing business! As I say, it didn’t matter much to me, you see, if you could get away with it.”
“But I didn’t get away with it, that’s it. I was held up.”