"Wish to leave, James? Why, what do you wish to leave for? Haven't you got a good situation?"
"Capital sitiwation, Sir Joseph, and you have always been a good kind master to me, Sir Joseph; but, O Sir Joseph, Sir Joseph!"
"What then, James, what then? Why do you wish to leave? Not going to get married, eh—not surely going to get married? O James, don't do it!"
"Heaven forbid, Sir Joseph!"
"Eh, eh? Well, then, what is it? Speak out, James, and tell me all about it. Tell me—tell me as a friend! If there is any trouble—"
"Well, Sir Joseph, I could put up with anything from you, Sir
Joseph, but I can't get on with my lady!"
"My lady be—. O James, what a sinner you make of me! Is that all, James? Then go down on your knees at once and thank God my lady is not your wife!"
It was a happy thought, and James stayed.
I don't think I have mentioned a curious reason that a jury once gave for not finding a prisoner guilty, although he had been tried on a charge of a most terrible murder. The evidence was irresistible to anybody but a jury, and the case was one of inexcusable brutality. The man had been tried for the murder of his father and mother, and, as I said, the evidence was too clear to leave a doubt as to his guilt.
The jury retired to consider their verdict, and were away so long that the Judge sent for them and asked if there was any point upon which he could enlighten them. They answered no, and thought they understood the case perfectly well.