"You must not think ill of me. I declare that I have been led into this
scrape blindfolded, as may be said. I never dreamt I was getting into
it. I am not reckless by nature; and, but for the expectation of that
money, I should be as free now as you are."
Thought upon thought was crowding into Arthur's mind. He did not speak.
"I cannot charge myself with any foolish or unnecessary expenditure,"
Hamish resumed. "And," he added in a deeper tone, "my worst enemy will
not accuse me of rashly incurring debts to gratify my own pleasures. I
do not get into mischief. Were I addicted to drinking, or to gambling,
my debts might have been ten times what they are."
"They are enough, it seems," said Arthur. But he spoke the words in
sadness, not in a spirit of reproof.
"Arthur, they may prove of the greatest service, in teaching me caution
for the future. Perhaps I wanted the lesson. Let me once get out of
this hash, and I will take pretty good care not to fall into another."
"If you only can get out of it."
"Oh, I shall do it, somehow; never fear. Let us go on, there seems to
be no one about."
CHAPTER X.
A FALSE ALARM.
They reached home unmolested. Arthur went straight to Mr. Channing, who
was lying, as usual, on his sofa, and bent over him with a smile, sweet
and hopeful as that of Hamish.
"Father, may I gain fifty pounds a year, if I can do it, without
detriment to my place at Mr.
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