How my mother would 'a stared at the sight of such a gal! Keep free of her, my lad, keep free of her.

But no harm to put her on, to keep our missy alive and awake, my boy." Immediately I withdrew from ear-shot, more deeply mortified than I can tell, and perhaps doing Firm an injustice by not waiting for his answer.
I knew not then how lightly men will speak of such delicate subjects; and it set me more against all thoughts of Firm than a month's reflection could have done.

When I came to know more of the world, I saw that I had been very foolish.

At the time, however, I was firmly set in a strong resolve to do that which alone seemed right, or even possible--to quit with all speed a place which could no longer be suited for me.
For several days I feared to say a single word about it, while equally I condemned myself for having so little courage.

But it was not as if there were any body to help me, or tell me what to do; sometimes I was bold with a surety of right, and then again I shook with the fear of being wrong.