Elijah sighed heavily. "Thanks Ben. Though I wonder a lot. I know I'm far from perfect. And I am haunted by my mistakes and ..things.. all the time. And sometimes I wonder if maybe I am too easy on some people. I don't know."

"People's lives are tough enough without ye locking up streetkids for stealing a mouthful of bread, and the like. Real criminals is another matter, but you've treated the struggling people of Whitby with respect and ye know the names of every young trouble maker in town, and that's more than can be said of most constables."

Elijah sighed and nodded. "I don't want to make it hard on people. But then when I do have to be hard on them, they act as if I am being unfair. I feel like being easy on them doesn't matter. They don't care and it makes them feel like they can walk all over me."

"Then don't put up with that and be hard on them." Ben advised, unaware of the irony here.

Elijah shook his head. "I have. I don't let me people talk me out of what I feel is right. But it doesn't help me feel better. I still want to help them, I keep hoping that someone will turn around." Of course, it didn't help when someone was labeled a criminal, it stuck with them.

"Ye mustn't take things so personal, Elijah," said Ben. "Those street kids will always have a big mouth."

Elijah nodded and sighed. "But its a huge part of my life, I can't help but take it personal when I hear it so much. I try to not hold it against them, but after so long.. its been too much to bear."

Ben frowned. "I'm sorry, Elijah..." he said slowly.

Elijah smiled weakly. "It's ok. That's why I'm taking a vacation. I'll come back refreshed and feeling stronger than ever." Or maybe he won't come back. He only planned to. But he had no idea what his trip would lead him to.

Ben nodded. "I hope it will help ye. But please write to us, Elijah. Tell us where you are and how ye ae doing." Why did the thought of Elijah leaving - running away - make him... almost emotional?