"
Ralph and James looked ashamed; Edith and Margaret, who had not
been born at the time referred to, lifted their faces innocently.
Robert did not move or glance up. He hardly seemed to be
listening.
"I was crushed in an agony of shame and despair," continued
Malcolm. "I believed my career was ruined. I was bent on
casting all my ambitions behind me, and going west to some place
where nobody knew me or my disgrace. But there was one person
who believed in my innocence, who said to me, 'You shall not give
up--you shall not behave as if you were guilty. You are
innocent, and in time your innocence will be proved. Meanwhile
show yourself a man. You have nearly enough to pay your way next
winter at the Academy. I have a little I can give to help you
out. Don't give in--never give in when you have done no wrong.'
"I listened and took his advice. I went to the Academy. My
story was there as soon as I was, and I found myself sneered at
and shunned. Many a time I would have given up in despair, had
it not been for the encouragement of my counselor. He furnished
the backbone for me. I was determined that his belief in me
should be justified. I studied hard and came out at the head of
my class. Then there seemed to be no chance of my earning any
more money that summer. But a farmer at Newbridge, who cared
nothing about the character of his help, if he could get the work
out of them, offered to hire me.
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