And you never know what you don't owe, which is worse, for sometimes you're in such despair, it would be quite a relief to catch some complaint and die.

It's like going about with a stone round your neck, and nobody kind enough to drown you.

I can't stand any more of it.
I shall make a clean breast to Father, and if he can't set me straight, I won't go back; I'll work on the farm sooner, and let him pay my bills instead of my schooling--and serve old Pompous right." Poor Jem! long after he had cheered up and gone to bed, I sat up and thought.

When my premium was paid where was the money for Jem's debts to come from?
And would my father be in the humour to pay them?
If he did not, Jem would not go back to school.

Of that I was quite certain.