And there again I was guilty of deceit, first, in making a promise I did not intend to keep, and then in pretending that I was a Catholic.

Honesty is the best policy, Mr Simple, in the long run, you may depend upon it." "So my father has always told me, and I have believed him," replied I.
"Well, sir, I am ashamed to say that I did worse; for the priest, after the thing was settled, asked me whether I had confessed lately.

I knew what he meant, and answered that I had not.

He motioned me down on my knees; but, as I could not speak Spanish enough for that, I mumbled-jumbled something or another, half Spanish and half English, and ended with putting four dollars in his hand for _carita_, which means charity.

He was satisfied at the end of my confession, whatever he might have been at the beginning, and gave me absolution, although he could not have understood what my crimes were; but four dollars, Mr Simple, will pay for a deal of crime in that country.