"Well--I would have, of course, if I'd had it," he'll say, changingcolor a wee bit. "But the fact is, Harry, I didn't have the money--"

"0h, aye, I see," I'll answer him. "I suppose you have let sae many ofyour friends have money lately that you're a bit pinched for cash?That'll be the way of it, nae doot?"

"Well--I've a pound or two outstanding," he'll say. "But--I suppose Iowe more than there is owing to me."

There's one, ye'll see, who's not mean, not close fisted. He's easywi' his money; he'd as soon spend his siller as no. And where is hewhen the pinch comes--to himself or to a friend? He can do nothing,d'ye ken, to help, because he's not saved his siller and been carefu'with it.

I've helped friends and strangers, when I could. But I've always triedto do it in such a way that they would help themselves the while. Whenthere's real distress it's time to stint yourself, if need be, to helpanother. That's charity--real charity. But is it charity to do as somewould do in sich a case as this?

Here'll be a man I know coming tae me.