{"id":"01KG8AK8MY566832WKV3CXK116","cid":"bafkreih27rjkdln6rsurqduxhhkqrjuma7vza3rbkmi2biixsoviux7xvq","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":1148,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:57.722Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 3","source_file":"01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4","start_line":1095,"text":"wondering what was to come. At length, with an effort mastering his\r\nfeelings, in a tolerably composed tone he spoke:\r\n\r\n\"If I remember, you are a mason, Mr. Roberts?\"\r\n\r\n\"Yes, yes.\"\r\n\r\nAverting himself a moment, as to recover from a return of agitation, the\r\nstranger grasped the other's hand; \"and would you not loan a brother a\r\nshilling if he needed it?\"\r\n\r\nThe merchant started, apparently, almost as if to retreat.\r\n\r\n\"Ah, Mr. Roberts, I trust you are not one of those business men, who\r\nmake a business of never having to do with unfortunates. For God's sake\r\ndon't leave me. I have something on my heart--on my heart. Under\r\ndeplorable circumstances thrown among strangers, utter strangers. I want\r\na friend in whom I may confide. Yours, Mr. Roberts, is almost the first\r\nknown face I've seen for many weeks.\"\r\n\r\nIt was so sudden an outburst; the interview offered such a contrast to\r\nthe scene around, that the merchant, though not used to be very\r\nindiscreet, yet, being not entirely inhumane, remained not entirely\r\nunmoved.\r\n\r\nThe other, still tremulous, resumed:\r\n\r\n\"I need not say, sir, how it cuts me to the soul, to follow up a social\r\nsalutation with such words as have just been mine. I know that I\r\njeopardize your good opinion. But I can't help it: necessity knows no\r\nlaw, and heeds no risk. Sir, we are masons, one more step aside; I will\r\ntell you my story.\"\r\n\r\nIn a low, half-suppressed tone, he began it. Judging from his auditor's\r\nexpression, it seemed to be a tale of singular interest, involving\r\ncalamities against which no integrity, no forethought, no energy, no\r\ngenius, no piety, could guard.\r\n\r\nAt every disclosure, the hearer's commiseration increased. No\r\nsentimental pity. As the story went on, he drew from his wallet a bank\r\nnote, but after a while, at some still more unhappy revelation, changed\r\nit for another, probably of a somewhat larger amount; which, when the\r\nstory was concluded, with an air studiously disclamatory of alms-giving,\r\nhe put into the stranger's hands; who, on his side, with an air\r\nstudiously disclamatory of alms-taking, put it into his pocket.\r\n\r\nAssistance being received, the stranger's manner assumed a kind and\r\ndegree of decorum which, under the circumstances, seemed almost\r\ncoldness. After some words, not over ardent, and yet not exactly\r\ninappropriate, he took leave, making a bow which had one knows not what\r\nof a certain chastened independence about it; as if misery, however\r\nburdensome, could not break down self-respect, nor gratitude, however\r\ndeep, humiliate a gentleman.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 3"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJJRS9JWFH12MSZTF7QA5","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1JMR8XVKPA0G8ADAPC4","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AK8N5WJD6JA9PKN63J7BQ","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AK8MY4WE1ETW0CKMNQ4H6","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:58.622Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:05.685Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}