I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew and was going the way of Adrian.

By George, it taught me something of the Hades the poor fellow must have passed through.

I've been in pretty tight corners in my day and I know what it is to have the cold fear creeping down my spine; but that week gave me the fright of my life." "I wish you had told me," said I, "I might have helped.

Why didn't you ?" "I didn't like to.

You see, if this idea hadn't come off, I should have looked such a stupendous ass." "That's a reason," I admitted.
"And I didn't tell you at first because you would have thought I was going off my chump.