When the ironmaster threatens to call the sheriff, the peddler responds with a sense of resignation and defiance, accepting the possibility of punishment. He explains his view of the world as a “rattrap” that lures people with bait—just as he was trapped by the lure of the stolen money. The peddler’s response reflects his belief that he is merely a product of circumstances, expressing his disillusionment with society. This moment underscores his self-perception as a victim of fate and reveals his deeper philosophical view, which resonates with the story’s themes of entrapment and moral struggle.