He would have told me sooner, the fireman said, had he not been so certain that I would break down under the work and quit.

As it was, I was killing myself, and all to no good purpose.

I was merely cheapening the price of labour, he argued, and keeping two men out of a job.
Being an American boy, and a proud American boy, I did not immediately quit.

This was foolish of me, I know; but I resolved to continue the work long enough to prove to the superintendent that I could do it without breaking down.

Then I would quit, and he would realise what a fine young fellow he had lost.
All of which I faithfully and foolishly did.