Mine was bad enough, God knows, and ought to teach you something; but it might have been worse by a long chalk." He leaned with his back against the side of the chimney-piece, his hands in his pockets.

He was a big, raw-boned man, who looked as if he would go to the world's end if he wanted to.

But she saw the despair on his face.
"I couldn't give her up now," he said.
"Well," she said, "remember there are worse wrongs than breaking off an engagement." "I can't give her up NOW," he said.
The clock ticked on; mother and son remained in silence, a conflict between them; but he would say no more.

At last she said: "Well, go to bed, my son.

You'll feel better in the morning, and perhaps you'll know better." He kissed her, and went.