But mark what a little success does to a man! I'd scarce dared, a year or so before, even to smile at those who told me, half joking, that I might be getting my five pound a week before I died.

I'd been afraid they'd think I was taking them seriously, and call me stuck up and conceited.

But now I was getting near that great sum, and was sure to get all of it before so long.

And I felt that it was no great thing to look ahead to--I, who'd been glad to work hard all week in a coal mine for fifteen shillings! The more we ha' the more we want.

It's always the way wi' all o' us, I'm thinkin'.