World's End by Richard Jefferies

He repented his folly very speedily, for the landlady had advanced him half-a-crown two days before for some necessaries, and now asked him for the money.

Not all the hunger and thirst of downright destitution is so hard to bear to a proud spirit as the insults of a petty creditor. He could not taste his tea; the dry bread -- he could not afford butter -- stuck in his throat. If he had not spent that shilling, he might have paid a part at least of his debt.