Christmas, and I ran in debt about 200
pounds. My father always cautioned me not to exceed my allowance, and
thinks that I have not done so. Now, I cannot bear the idea of leaving
college in debt, and, at the same time, it will be a heavy blow to my
poor father, if he has to part with 200 pounds, out of his trifling
remainder, to pay my debt. This is what has made me so unhappy. I
cannot bear to tell him, because I feel convinced that he is so
honourable, he will pay it immediately. I am mad with myself, and
really do not know what to do. I do nothing but reproach myself all
day, and I cannot sleep at night. I have been very foolish, but I am
sure you will kindly enter into my present feelings. I waited till you
came home, because I thought you had better tell my father the fact, for
I feel as if I should die with shame and vexation."

"Look you, Harry," replied Alfred, "as for outrunning the constable, as
we term it at sea, it's a very common thing, and, all things considered,
no great harm done, when you suppose that you have the means, and intend
to pay; so don't lay that to heart. That you would give your right hand
not to have done so, as things have turned out, I really believe; but,
however, there is no occasion to fret any more about it, I have received
three years' pay, and the prize-money for the last eighteen months, and
there is still some more due, for a French privateer. Altogether it
amounts to 250 pounds, which I had intended to have made over to my
father, now that he is on a lee-shore; but it will come to the same
thing, whether I give it to you to pay your debts, or give it to him, as
he will pay them, if you do not; so here it is, take what you want, and
hand me over what's left. My father don't know that I have any money,
and now he won't know it; at the same time he won't know that you owe
any; so that squares the account, and he will be as well off as ever."

"Thank you, my dear Alfred; you don't know what a relief this will be to
my mind. Now I can look my father in his face."

"I hope you will; we are not troubled with such delicate feelings on
board ship, Harry. I should have told him the truth long before this.
I couldn't bear to keep anything on my conscience. If this misfortune
had happened last cruise, I should have been just in your position; for
I had a tailor's bill to pay as long as a frigate's pennant, and not
enough in my pocket to buy a mouse's breakfast. Now, let us