Joe straightened and pulled slightly away from her.

"Pearl, there's something else ye should know." he sighed. "After I got dismissed, I went and got drunk. So drunk, I had no wits about me. Well, I insulted a constable and had to go before the judge. I have to pay a fine."

Before she could answer, he felt compelled to defend himself further.

"I made a mistake. I'm not proud of it and I'm sorry, but I want ye to 'ear it from me, not read it in the paper, or hear some gossip."