He had come just now, still hesitating.

Still there had been passing through his mind hopes and ideas of what his father might do for him.

He knew well enough that he would never pay the fines, amounting sometimes to as much as twenty pounds a month; but he had thought that perhaps his father would give him a sum of money and let him go to fend for himself; that he might help him even to a situation somewhere; and now hope had died so utterly that he did not even dare speak of it.

And he had said "No" to Anthony; he said to himself at least that he had meant "No," in spite of his hesitation.

All doors seemed closing, save that which terrified him....
"I have thought in my mind--" he began; and stopped, for the terror of what was on his tongue grew suddenly upon him.
"Eh ?" Robin stood up.
"I must have time, sir," he cried; "I must have time.