[General movement of virtuous satisfaction at this
    well-merited rebuke.

The M.M. (wishing he had not put his trust in TANFIELD).  I—­I have waited—­but it don’t matter. (Addressing First White Wig, from a timid social impulse).  The—­er—­Plaintiff made some remarkable admissions in the box yesterday—­his cross-examination seemed pretty severe.

First White Wig (after a stare at his audacity).  Cross-examination not unfrequently is. (To the other W.W.) See that extraordinary decision of old JUBBER’s in Biling v. Bulgin?  Of course they’ll appeal!

    [The couple converse in highly technical terms for some
    minutes.

The M.M. (at the next pause).  It struck me that Colonel ARKASS rather contradicted himself on one or two points.

Second W.W. Very likely. (To First W.W.) What do you do when you’re before one of these confounded Common Law Judges, and see he’s looking up a point of Equity in a text-book during your argument?  Do you wait for him?

First W.W. (with all the decision of a Counsel who was called the Term before last).  Wait for him?  No—­go on talking about anything you like, till he’s ready to listen to you again.  That’s what I always do!

An Important Stranger (bustling up; to Doorkeepers).  Here, I say, let me in, will you!

Doork. You a Witness in this case, Sir?

The Imp.  S. (after a tell-tale pause).  Er—­yes—­in a sort of way, y’know.

Doork. Then your entrance is down below, Sir, in the Central ’All—­you’ll see it written up there.

The I.S. Haw—­well, I’m not exactly a witness, but I’m interested in the case, y’know.

Doork. So are all these Gentlemen, Sir—­but they can’t get in.

The I.S. No—­but look here.  I know the criminals—­’tleast I don’t mean to call ’em that, y’know—­hope they’re all innocent, I’m sure.  I like ’em all; danced with ’em, and all that, lots of times.

Doork. Ah, well, you see they ain’t dancin’ to-day, Sir. (The I.S. bustles away; there is a stir within; the portion of the crowd in Court that is visible through the glass-doors heaves convulsively, and presently produces a stout and struggling Q.C.).  Make way there!  Stand aside, gentlemen, please.  Counsel coming out!

    [Q.C. comes out, puffing, followed by his Clerk and a
    Client.

First W.W. (as the chasm in the crowd closes again). Now you can let us in!

Doork. (stolidly).  Not yet, Sir. (To other Doork.) I see that party agen last night—­you know—­him as was here making all that shindy day afore yesterday.  I went and ’ad a drink with ’im.