The old Squire drew near and laid his hand gently on his shoulder.
"Is it something you could tell me about ?" he asked.
Rufus groaned and raised two dreary eyes from his hands.

"Oh, I can't! I'm 'shamed.

It's nothin' I can tell!" he cried out miserably and then burst into fearful sobs.
"Don't let me ask, then, unless you think it might do you good," the old Squire said.
"Nothin'll ever do me any good again!" Rufus cried.

"I'm beyond it, Squire.

I'm a lost soul.