228 DILEMMA 



I told him there were many obstacles. 



" In the first place, I acknowledge to you I do not 

 move in that circle where the practices you seem so well 

 acquainted with are known." 



" Do you mean to say you are not a gentleman ? " 



" Xot in the sense you understand that term." 



" Then you have no business here." 



" But I am admitted here, and no objection has ever 

 been made to me on account of my profession." 



" And what may that profession be, sir ? " he 

 demanded. 



'' Why, sir," I replied, " I drive a stage-coach, and shall 

 be wanted to fulfil my duties at half-past seven to-morrow 

 morning, which is about the time, I imagine, you would 

 require my company at Chalk Farm, or some neighbour- 

 ing spot." 



" Most certainly." 



" Well, sir," I continued, " I have a wife and eight 

 children — you surely would not have me put their welfare 

 upon the stake for the very small oftence I have unwit- 

 tingly given you." 



"You should have thought of that before you com- 

 mitted the offence." 



Finding that nothing could appease him, I held my 

 tonsue, and sat musins; on the dilemma I was in, and 

 wondering how I should extricate myself. I could not 

 leave the room like a cur — if I did, I felt assured some 

 personal indignity would be offered me — I could not 

 deride him, nor would I apologize any further. 



As I sat twirling the spoon in my empty glass, a 

 thought suddenly struck me, or rather came back on me. 



