I've made mistakes, though, in my time--" He stopped, and Beaton was not proof against the misery of his face, which was twisted as with some strong physical ache.

"I don't know as I want to make any more, if I can help it.

I don't know but what you had a right to keep on comin', and if you had I want you to say so.

Don't you be afraid but what I'll take it in the right way.

I don't want to take advantage of anybody, and I don't ask you to say any more than that." Beaton did not find the humiliation of the man who had humiliated him so sweet as he could have fancied it might be.