I felt sure I should be able before long to impale this religion of yours upon a paradox. And I suppose that when you put this shrivelled old hand that I am holding into that ridiculous old dogskin purse of yours, which must have been an heirloom in your family in the year one, you had not time to reflect that you were robbing your poor little grandchildren? You had not time to reflect that the twenty-five shillings which you lent a weak-natured, self-indulgent sentimentalist in order that he might not be turned out into the street would keep them in boots for a year?"
"I don't say I had not time to think about it, sir, but I could never have seen you turned out into the street without a roof above your head."
"Why could you not, Mrs. Brown? It was no part of your duties to provide a home for a stalwart and able-bodied young man who was living in idleness, when you had your five little, orphan grandchildren to consider."
"I did not look at it in that light, sir."
"Surely it was very wrong of you to fail to do so. One would think a reasonable, right-minded person would hardly need to have it pointed out."
"Well, sir," said the old woman nervously, "I beg your pardon, I'm sure; but even if I had seen it in that way I might not have acted upon it."
"Then I grieve to say, Mrs. Brown, that you appear to have no very exact standard of probity."
"I—I—I'm sure, sir, I always try to do what is right."
The charwoman had become the prey of a deep confusion.
"But," said Northcote, sternly, "I have just had
