As I went over Russell Street,
   By conscience suddenly dismayed,
I met a man whose forthright feet
   Proclaimed sufficiently his trade.
And, as his keen, accusing eye
   Explored me for the hidden truth,
In grim procession tramping by
   Came all the errors of my youth.

The stolen jam!  The orchard robbed!
   The broken pane...  Oh, sharp remorse!
In misery I almost sobbed,
   To mark my degradation's course.
Yet cunningly, with words of guile
   I sought to lure his thoughts from crime.
And, lo, he answered with a smile:
            "I've just got time."

"Den"
Herald, 28 February 1929, p8