 replied John, »of conveying any such impression to
you, and am exceedingly sorry to have done so.«
    »But you entertain it?« said Martin.
    »You ask me so pointedly and directly,« returned the other, »that I cannot
deny the having accustomed myself to regard you as one who, not in wantonness
but in mere thoughtlessness of character, did not sufficiently consider his
nature and did not quite treat it as it deserves to be treated. It is much
easier to slight than to appreciate Tom Pinch.«
    This was not said warmly, but was energetically spoken too; for there was no
subject in the world (but one) on which the speaker felt so strongly.
    »I grew into the knowledge of Tom,« he pursued, »as I grew towards manhood;
and I have learned to love him as something infinitely better than myself. I did
not think that you understood him when we met before. I did not think that you
greatly cared to understand him. The instances of this which I observed in you,
were, like my opportunities for observation, very trivial - and were very
harmless I dare say. But they were not agreeable to me, and they forced
themselves upon me; for I was not upon the watch for them, believe me. You will
say,« added John, with a smile, as he subsided into more of his accustomed
manner, »that I am not by any means agreeable to you. I can only assure you, in
reply, that I would not have originated this topic on any account.«
    »I originated it,« said Martin; »and so far from having any complaint to
make against you, highly esteem the friendship you entertain for Tom, and the
very many proofs you have given him of it. Why should I endeavour to conceal
from you:« he coloured deeply though: »that I neither understood him nor cared
to understand him when I was his companion; and that I am very truly sorry for
it now!«
    It was so sincerely said, at once so modestly and manfully, that John
offered him his hand as if he had not done so before; and Martin giving his in
the same open spirit, all constraint between the young men vanished.
    »Now pray,« said John, »when I tire your patience very much in what I am
going to say, recollect that it has an end to it, and that the end is the point
of the story.«
    With this preface, he related all the circumstances connected with his
having presided
