After a time the culprit began to feel the need of a little self-respect.

He was quite sure that he had not in any way departed from virtue, and there were reasons, too, of which Torpenhow knew nothing.

He would explain.
He rose, tried to straighten his shoulders, and spoke to the face he could hardly see.
'You are right,' he said.

'But I am right, too.

After you went away I had some trouble with my eyes.