"Why then, you see, I made a foolish offer, and might have backed out of it; and if I had done so I should have pleased my father and saved my money, and not have encouraged one of the biggest scamps going, and have been spared a lot of chaffing and ridicule.  But you see I had given my word, though it was only half a word after all, for I never dreamed that Gregson would have taken me up as he did.  But rather than break my word, I stood by what I had promised, and got all sorts of bother and trouble by doing so.  Now, wasn't that something like moral courage? Don't I deserve my laurels?"