eight pounds.
I had got some of it from home, and some of it by gambling; I'd paid off
all but eight pounds. You know, Greenfield, who lent me that."

"I'm thankful we were able to do it," said Oliver.

"If you'd known how I hated you and despised myself over that eight
pounds you would hardly have been glad. Everything was hateful. I took
the money down to Cripps and paid it him. He pretended at first that he
wouldn't take it; and then when he did, and I asked him to give me back
my promissory note, he laughed at me. I nearly went mad, Greenfield, at
the thought of not being clear after all. At length he did make believe
to give in, and produced what I thought was the bill, and tore it up in
my presence. I couldn't see it, but he read it out aloud, and I had no
doubt it was actually the thing. I was so grateful I actually felt
happy. But then came the discovery of that miserable exam paper. I
must have left it in my Juvenal last September, and forgotten all about
it. I was certain the Doctor knew quite well I was the thief, but I
denied it and tried feebly to put it on you. Then everybody cut me; but
I hoped still all might blow over in time. But every day it became
harder to bear; I should have had to confess at last, I believe. Then
came Cripps's final villainy. He had never destroyed my bill after all,
but now calmly claimed the whole amount."

"The scoundrel!" exclaimed Oliver, indignantly.

"I had no receipts to show what I had paid, and of course was at his
mercy. This last move really drove me half crazy. I daren't tell any
one about it. I was too desperate to think of anything but running away
and hiding somewhere. I had no money. I came to you with a lie to try
to borrow a pound, so that I might go somewhere by train. You couldn't
do it, and so I had to walk, and--and--oh! Greenfield, what shall I do?
what will become of me?"

"My dear fellow," said Oliver, laying his hand on the unhappy boy's arm,
"we'll go back together, and I can promise you you'll find nothing but
kindness and forgiveness when you get back. If I wasn't sure of that, I
wouldn't urge you to come. There! I wish you could have seen your poor
father's face last night."

Loman held out no longer; and, indeed, it was high time to think of
moving, for the afternoon was closing in and rain was already beginning
to fall.

Loman was in no condition for walking, nor, indeed, was Oliver, who had
been on his feet since e