You can refer to some one who knows you--your old schoolmaster, for instance." "I'm afraid not," faltered the boy.
The man looked perplexed.
"Couldn't get a character from him--why not ?" "Because I ran away from school." "Oh, oh! Did they ill-treat you, then, or starve you?
Come; better tell the truth." "No--it wasn't that.

It was because--" Jeffreys gave one longing look at the shelves of beloved books, and an appealing glance at his questioner--"It was because I--nearly killed a boy." The man whistled and looked askance at his visitor.
"By accident ?" "Partly.

Partly not.

But I assure you--" "That will do," said the man; "that's quite enough.

Be off!" Jeffreys departed without another word.