George Gissing

“ Life isn't all honey. Be thankful you wasn't born in a family like that."
He was talkative how, and quite cheerful. See—he remarked—what a useful friend a pawnbroker was to the poor. Suppose that wretched woman had had no such person to call upon in her need. It wasn't charity. He didn't believe in charity. Nothing was any use that hadn't a solid basis of business.
"You may give and give and you don't really help people. They must learn to help themselves." Mrs. Bellamy made strong assent, and cited instances of the demoralising effect of almsgiving. ”

“ He smiled with the nearest approach to benevolence possible on such features, and then he sighed, as though dismissing his melancholy.
"I've a good' mind to make it next midsummer, Jane—the retiring. I haven't done badly; we're comfortably off, old girl. ”

“ Bellamy spread it upon a table, and the family grouped about it.
"She says for Gawd's sake let her have all it's worth, 'Arry."
Now it was certain, as the pawnbroker knew, that this pledge would never be redeemed. Mrs. Brookes had brought numerous articles to the shop of late; a widow with many children, she was fighting hopelessly against inevitable pauperdom. Bellamy, after a few cold glances, took from his pocket one shilling and a threepenny-piece. ”