"If I thought there was anyone that cared what become of me; if I thought there was anyone that was willing to let bygones be bygones, seeing that I've cared for that person all my life, since—since first we knew there was a Tumplety Hole in that room; if I thought there was anyone who knew she could fetch out all the good there was in me,—in old "Gruff and Grum,"—and that knew best of anyone how much good there was to be fetched—why—if there was any such person, I'd sit down to that table the proudest man in the wide world, and the happiest! But—but—I don't suppose there is, do you, Bethesda?"
"Oh, my gracious land of deliverance!" cried Miss Bethesda, fairly beside herself. "I—I—don't know as there is, Buckstone, and—and yet—I don't know but there is! But do, for gracious sake, sit down, whatever way it is, and eat your supper like a Christian man!"
And Buckstone sat down.