Never, though the old man's troubles had been over so many years, had he forgiven himself for inflicting such a pang upon his heart.

And now, in his old age, he had come hither to do penance, by standing at noonday, in the market-place of Uttoxeter, on the very spot where Michael Johnson had once kept his book-stall.

The aged and illustrious man had done what the poor boy refused to do.

By thus expressing his deep repentance and humiliation of heart, he hoped to gain peace of conscience and the forgiveness of God.
My dear children, if you have grieved (I will not say your parents, but if you have grieved) the heart of any human being who has a claim upon your love, then think of Samuel Johnson's penance.

Will it not be better to redeem the error now than to endure the agony of remorse for fifty years?
Would you not rather say to a brother, "I have erred; forgive me!" than perhaps to go hereafter and shed bitter tears upon his grave?
Hardly was the story concluded when George hastily arose, and Edward likewise, stretching forth his hands into the darkness that surrounded him to find his brother.