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Throughout an early breakfast Mr Growther appeared to be revolving some subject in his ly abrupt, for it ca ainst hi man, do you think you could stand me?"

"What do you ht to realize all the bearin's of the case The town is down on you Respectable people won't have nothin' to do with you, any more than they would walk arery I aren't respectable, so you can't blacken me I've showed you I'm not afraid to trust you You can't sleep in the streets, you can't eat pavin'-stuns and ain: Can you stand me? I warn you I'm an awful oncomfortable custoe of you in this respect, and, what's more, I don't s'pose I'll behave any better for your sake or anybody else's I', and can't be bent or h, the Lord knows; but you're kind o' liit yourself in decent shape if you have a chance I've taken a notion to give you a chance The only question is, Can you stand e if I could not stand the only man in Hillaton who has shown a hu I can't stand is taking charity"

"Who's asked you to take charity?"

"What else would it be-- here on you?"

"I can open a boardin'-house if I want to, can't I? I have a right to lend er account with ive you a receipt every time," added the old ettin' into the papers as 'kind-hearted' Mr Growther"

"Mr Growther, I can scarcely understand your kindness to me, for I have no claim on you whatever As much as I would like to accept your offer, I scarcely feel it right to do so I will bring discredit to you with certainty, andyou seeot to take my choice 'twixt two evils On one side is you I don't want you botherin' round, seein' my mean ways For the sake of decency I'll have to try to hold in a little before you, while beforeI can let out as I please; so I'd rather live alone But the tother side is a plaguy sight worse If I should let you go a-wanderin' off you don't knohere, the sa off with a kick, knowin' that every one else in toould add a kick or fire a stun, I couldn't sleep nights or enjoy my vittels I'd feel so mean that I should jest set and cuss ht Look here, now; I couldn't stan' it," concluded Mr Growther, overcome by the picture of his oretchedness "Let's have no ht till you can do better Open an account with in', and pay all back with lawful interest, if it'll ed