“I did, all the same. You were so young that you don't remember it.”
“Well, Eben, what of it?”
“I want you to lend me ten dollars, Herbert, in memory of old times.”
Herbert was generously inclined, on ordinary occasions, but did not feel so on this occasion. He felt that Eben was not a deserving object, even had he felt able to make so large a loan. Besides, he could not forget that the young man who now asked a favor had brought a false charge of stealing against him.
“You will have to excuse me, Eben,” he answered. “To begin with, I cannot afford to lend so large a sum.”
“I would pay you back as soon as I could.”
“Perhaps you would,” said Herbert, “though I have not much confidence in it. But you seem to forget that you charged me with stealing only a short time since. I wonder how you have the face to ask me to lend you ten dollars, or any sum.”
“It was a mistake,” muttered Eben, showing some signs of confusion.
“At any rate, I won't say anything more about it while you are in trouble. But you must excuse my declining to lend you.”
“Lend me five dollars, then,” pleaded Eben.