He would rather starve than do that; and his first impulse was to seek help at the gaming-table, whither his new friends had often tempted him.

But he had promised Mr Bhaer to resist what then had seemed an impossible temptation; and now he would not add another fault to the list already so long.

Borrow he would not, nor beg.

What could he do?
For these appalling bills must be paid, and the lessons go on; or his journey was an ignominious failure.

But he must live meantime.