You know all that ?" "Yes; I know that we are poor.

How much do you owe ?" she asked.
"I cannot say.

Not long ago it was some hundreds, but by this time it is nearer thousands.

Nothing grows so rapidly as a debt, my child-- even," added he, with an unctuous drop of his voice, "a debt of honour." "And will not your creditor wait ?" "My creditor has waited, but refuses to do so any longer.

In a month from now, my child, your father and those he loves best will be paupers." "Is there no way of meeting it?
None whatever ?" "I cannot pay; I shrink from borrowing.