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WITH the above words the good man left the room—while I was myself bewildered at hearing such extraordinary language from the lips of one who seemed a reputable member of society. “Embezzle a large sum of money under singularly distressing circumstances!” I exclaimed to myself, “and ask me to go and stay with him! I shall do nothing of the sort—compromise myself at the very outset in the eyes of all decent people, and give the death-blow to my chances of either converting them, if they are the lost tribes of Israel, or making money out of them if they are not! No. I will do anything rather than that.” And when my teacher returned I told him that I did not at all like the sound of what had been proposed for me, and that I would have nothing to do with it. For by my education and the example of my own parents, and I trust also in some degree from inborn instinct, I have a very genuine dislike for all unhandsome dealing in money matters, though none can have a greater regard for money than I have, if it be got fairly.

The interpreter appeared much surprised by my answer, and told me that I was very foolish if I persisted in my refusal.