I didn't mean--I was only anxious for you to know the rule.

I hope you'll forgive me ?" and he held out his hand.
What could I do?
Perhaps he was telling the truth after all, and we had thought too badly of him.

And when a big boy comes and asks pardon of a small one, it is always embarrassing for the latter.

So I gave him my hand, and told him I was sure he did not mean it, and that it did not matter at all.
"Thanks, Batchelor," he said, smiling quite gratefully.

"It's a relief to me." Then I watched him go on what I knew was a similar errand to Smith, but, as I expected, his reception in that quarter was not quite so flattering as it had been in my case.