"And why did I deduct that shilling, sir? Because it was _my commission_--John Brough's commission; honestly earned by him, and openly taken. Was there any disguise about it? No. Did I do it for the love of a shilling? No," says Brough, laying his hand on his heart, "I did it from _principle_,--from that motive which guides every one of my actions, as I can look up to Heaven and say. I wish all my young men to see my example, and follow it: I wish--I pray that they may. Think of that example, sir. That porter of mine has a sick wife and nine young children: he is himself a sick man, and his tenure of life is feeble; he has earned money, sir, in my service--sixty pounds and more--it is all his children have to look to--all: but for that, in the event of his death, they would be houseless beggars in the street. And what have I done for that family, sir? I have put that money out of the reach of Robert Gates, and placed it so that it shall be a blessing to his family at his death. Every farthing is invested in shares in this office; and Robert Gates, my lodge-porter, is a holder of three shares in the West Diddlesex Association, and, in that capacity, your master and mine. Do you think I want to _cheat_ Gates?" "Oh, sir!" says I. "To cheat that poor helpless man, and those tender innocent children!--you can't think so, sir; I should be a disgrace to human nature if I did. But what boots all my energy and perseverance? What though I place my friends' money, my family's money, my own money--my hopes, wishes, desires, ambitions--all upon this enterprise? You young men will not do so. You, whom I treat with love and confidence as my children, make no return to me. When I toil, you remain still; when I struggle, you look on. Say the word at once,--you doubt me! O heavens, that this should be the reward of all my care and love for you!" Here Mr. Brough was so affected that he actually burst into tears, and I confess I saw in its true light the negligence of which I had been guilty. "Sir," says I, "I am very--very sorry: it was a matter of delicacy, rather than otherwise, which induced me not to speak to my aunt about the West Diddlesex." "Delicacy, my dear dear boy--as if there can be any delicacy about making your aunt's fortune! Say indifference to me, say ingratitude, say folly,--but don't say delicacy--no, no, not delicacy. Be honest, my boy, and call things by their right names--always do." "It _was_ folly and ingratitude, Mr. Brough," says I: "I see it all now; and I'll write to my aunt this very post." "You had better do no such thing," says Brough, bitterly: "the stocks are at ninety, and Mrs. Hoggarty can get three per cent. for her money." "I _will_ write, sir,--upon my word and honour, I will write."