It is the deepest curse of such a life as his that it directs the imagination in channels of meanness, and preoccupies the thought with sordid fears.
What would it avail him, in the present instance, to call the shopman to witness?
The note, ten to one, would be paid away, and here also a man's word was worth nothing.

But Dagworthy might merely think such an accusation: ay, that would be the worst.

To lie henceforth under suspicion of dishonesty: that meant, to lose his place before long, on some pretence.
And he felt that, in spite of absolute sincerity, he could not stand before Dagworthy and tell his tale with the face and voice of an honest man,--felt it with a horrible certainty.

In a man of Hood's character, this state of mind was perfectly natural.

Not only was he weakly constructed, but his incessant ill-fortune had done him that last wrong which social hardship can inflict upon the individual, it, had undermined his self-respect.