To this arrangement I had no objection, and I sent up for different things until I thought that my account must have amounted to eleven or twelve shillings.

As I promised my father that I never would run in debt, I considered that it was then time that it should be settled.

When I asked for it, what was my surprise to find that it amounted to L2 14s.6d.I declared that it was impossible, and requested that she would allow me to look at the items, when I found that I was booked for at least three or four dozen tarts every day, ordered by the young gentlemen, "to be put down to Mr Simple's account." I was very much shocked, not only at the sum of money which I had to pay, but also at the want of honesty on the part of my messmates; but when I complained of it in the berth, they all laughed at me.
At last one of them said, "Peter, tell the truth; did not your father caution you not to run in debt ?" "Yes, he did," replied I.
"I know that very well," replied he; "all fathers do the same when their sons leave them; it's a matter of course.

Now observe, Peter; it is out of regard to you, that your messmates have been eating tarts at your expense You disobeyed your father's injunctions before you had been a month from home; and it is to give you a lesson that may be useful in after-life, that they have considered it their duty to order the tarts.
I trust that it will not be thrown away upon you.

Go to the woman, pay your bill, and never run up another." "That I certainly shall not," replied I; but as I could not prove who ordered the tarts, and did not think it fair that the woman should lose her money, I went up and paid the bill with a determination never to open an account with anybody again.
But this left my pockets quite empty, so I wrote to my father, stating the whole transaction, and the consequent state of my finances.