Everything is unusual. Your cravat is unusual. This prisoner is invited to dine at my house to-day—that’s peculiar. He is my wife’s first husband’s only child’s god-father—that’s a little out of the ordinary.
Mr. Wormington.
The charge is so serious!
Mr. Posket.
But I am a man as well as a magistrate, advise me, Wormington, advise me!
Mr. Wormington.
Well—you can apply to yourself for permission to grant Colonel Lukyn’s request.
Mr. Posket.
[Hastily scribbling on Lukyn’s card.] I do—I do—and after much conflicting argument I consent to see Colonel Lukyn here, immediately. [Handing the card to Mr. Wormington who passes it to Lugg, who then goes out.] Don’t leave me, Wormington—you must stand by me to see that I remain calm, firm, and judicial. [He hastily puts on the red necktie in an untidy manner.] Poor Lukyn, I must sink the friend in the magistrate, and in dealing with his errors apply the scourge to myself. [To Mr. Wormington.] Wormington, tap me on the shoulder when I am inclined to be more than usually unusual.
[Mr. Wormington stands behind him, and Lugg enters with Lukyn. Lukyn’s dress-clothes are much soiled and disordered, and he, too, has a small strip of plaster upon the bridge of his nose. There is a constrained pause, Lukyn and Mr. Posket both cough.