“She went down the garden-path with him, and opened the gate.
“'You turn round,' says she, 'before you reach the bottom of the lane and I give the alarm.' And Joe went straight, and didn't look behind him.
“Well, it was a rum beginning to a courtship, but the end was rummer. The girl was willing to marry him if he would turn honest. Joe wanted to turn honest, but didn't know how.
“'It's no use fixing me down, my dear, to any quiet, respectable calling,' says Joe to the gal, 'because, even if the police would let me alone, I wouldn't be able to stop there. I'd break out, sooner or later, try as I might.'
“The girl went to her master, who seems to have been an odd sort of a cove, and told him the whole story. The old gent said he'd see Joe, and Joe called on him.
“'What's your religion?' says the old gent to Joe.
“'I'm not particular, sir; I'll leave it to you,' says Joe.
“'Good!' says the old gent. 'You're no fanatic. What are your principles?'
“At first Joe didn't think he'd got any, but, the old gent leading, he found to his surprise as he had.
“'I believe,' says Joe, 'in doing a job thoroughly.'