I had no intention at first of taking the money; I came here to give it you; I should have done so without a thought of dishonesty, but you happened to be away.

In going to Hebsworth I lost my hat, and I had not enough money of my own to buy another; I had to change the note--that was the temptation--I will return it .-- But for this work here, I might by now have been in the workhouse.

Try, sir, to forgive my baseness; I cannot forgive myself.' Dagworthy turned his face away.
'Well,' he said, with a wave of the hand, 'all that's too late.' 'Sir,' Hood pursued, spurred by foresight of penury perhaps as much as by dread of having to explain his dismissal at home, for penury had been his relentless foe through life Sir, is it in vain to ask you to give me another chance?
I am not a dishonest man; never before has such a temptation come to me, and surely never would again.

Will you--I entreat you to think what it means--at my age--my wife--I ought to be content with thanking you for having spared me--how few would have done that! Let me continue to serve you--a lower salary--if it be ever so little--till I have regained your confidence--' Dagworthy was drumming with his fingers on the desk.

Not for an instant did he falter in his purpose, but it gave him pleasure to be thus prayed to.