"I don't know whether he is unworthy. That remains to be seen."
"You know I yielded to temptation and committed a theft."
"Yes; but it was to help your mother."
"It was, but that does not relieve me from guilt."
"You are right; still it greatly mitigates it. Take my advice; forget it, and never again yield to a similar temptation."
"I will not, indeed, Mrs. Merton," said the young many earnestly. "I feel that I have been very fortunate in escaping the consequences of my folly, and in enlisting your sympathy."
"That is well! Let us forget this disagreeable circumstance, and look forward to the future. How is Mary your mother?"
"She is an invalid."
"And poor. There is a remedy for poverty. Let us also hope there is a remedy for her ill-health. But tell me, why did you not come to see me before? You have been some time in Chicago."
"True, but I knew you were a rich lady. I didn't think you would remember or care to hear from one so poor and obscure as my mother."