Failure now would break my heart." "But you won't fail," exclaimed he.

"I myself am resolved to see you through this matter with credit." And in this assurance I returned to my lodgings where I found the landlady sitting where I had left her, darning her twenty-third sock.
"I have to mend for a dozen men and three boys," said she, "and the boys are the worst by a heap sight.

Look at that, will you," holding up a darn with a bit of stocking attached.

"That hole was made playing shinny." I uttered my condolences and asked if any sound or disturbance had reached her ears from above.
"O no, all is right up there; I've scarcely heard a whisper since you've been gone." I gave her a pat on the chin scarcely consistent with my aged and tottering mien and proceeded to shamble painfully to my room..