In fact I have of late become hardened to that state of affairs.

My life has been up and down; I 've ridden the top wave of prosperity, and have knocked against the rocks at the bottom.

Lately I 've been on the rocks.

But good luck, or bad, I am not the sort to desert a woman in distress." "You are a man of some education ?" "Two years at the University." "And now ?" I smiled grimly, determined to admit the worst.
"Little better than a tramp, I suppose, although I have held a job lately--driving for a lumber yard across the river." A moment she sat in silence, her eyes lowered to the table.
"What--what was that you offered the man for security ?" she asked quietly.
"Oh, nothing much.

It had no intrinsic value, and the fellow would not even accept it.