'I have no wish that society should agree with me; for if it did, it
would be sure to do so upon the worst of principles. It is better
that society should be cruel, than that it should call the horrible
thing a trifle: it would know nothing between.'
Through the city--though it was only when we crossed one of the main
thoroughfares that I knew where we were--we came into the region of
Bethnal Green. From house to house till it grew very late, Falconer
went, and I went with him. I will not linger on this part of our
wanderings. Where I saw only dreadful darkness, Falconer always
would see some glimmer of light. All the people into whose houses
we went knew him. They were all in the depths of poverty. Many of
them were respectable. With some of them he had long talks in
private, while I waited near. At length he said,
'I think we had better be going home, Mr. Gordon. You must be
tired.'
'I am, rather,' I answered. 'But it doesn't matter, for I have
nothing to do to-morrow.'
'We shall get a cab, I dare say, before we go far.'
'Not for me. I am not so tired, but that I would rather walk,' I
said.
'Very well,' he returned. 'Where do you live?'
I told him.
'I will take you the nearest way.'
'You know London marvellously.'
'Pretty well now,' he answered.
We were somewhere near Leather Lane about one o'clock. Suddenly we
came upon two tiny children standing on the pavement, one on each
side of the door of a public-house.
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