"But you didn't buy a ticket."
"No, I didn't. You are a green boy. What difference does it make to this railroad company whether I paid my fare or not? They've got money enough."
"But they wouldn't make much if people didn't pay."
"It don't make no difference if one don't pay now and then. You hain't seen much of the world yet, my boy. When you have lived to be as old as I am, you'll know more."
"I hope I shall not live so long as to be proud of being dishonest," I replied, with considerable spirit.
"Dishonest? What do you mean by that? Do you pretend to say I'm dishonest?"
"Well, madam, we needn't quarrel about words; but, if I had tried to cheat the railroad company out of twelve dollars, or twelve cents, I should call it being dishonest."
"You are a silly boy."
"I hope I always shall be silly, then. I should think God had forsaken me, if I could deliberately try to wrong any one."
"You haven't seen the world. I have worked hard in my time. It took me a good while to earn twelve dollars; and when I see a chance to save twelve dollars, I generally always does so."