“‘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.’
“‘What your hand finds to do, you believe in doing with all your might, eh?’ says the old gent.
“‘That’s it, sir,’ says Joe. ‘That’s what I’ve always tried to do.’
“‘Anything else?’ asks the old gent.