But before I got to York I saw what an ass I had made of myself.

Of course, the priest was perfectly right (I saw that before I got ten yards away, though I wouldn't acknowledge it for another five miles).

I was a dirty tramp, and I talked like a brazen fool.

(I remember thinking my 'openness' to him rather fine and manly!) Well, that made me smaller still.
"Then a sort of despair came on me when the police got me turned out of my work in York.

I know it was only a little thing (though I still think it unfair), but it was like a pebble in your boot when you're already going lame from something else.
"And then came Jenny's letter.