I thought you were dead long ago.

I had a right to consider you dead." "If I had thought my existence could be a matter of interest to you, I should hardly have so long refrained from all communication with you.

But your letters led me to suppose you utterly indifferent to my fate." "I offered you and your wife a home." "Yes, but on conditions that were impossible to me.

I had some pride in those days.

My education had not fitted me to stand behind a counter and drive hard bargains with dealers of doubtful honesty.