"It's too early."
"It is not too early. I have a right to see my lawyer at any time."
"All right, I'll bring him; but I advise you to compose yourself to-day. If you get so excited, you will be a witness against yourself."
Landolin looked at the keeper as though he wanted to knock him down, but he controlled himself. His face bore the marks of the battle which he, who was formerly so self-willed, had been fighting for weeks, and especially during the past night. Yesterday he had shaved off his full beard, which had grown in the prison; and it was plain that he had grown old very rapidly. The elasticity of his flesh, and the brown, healthy color were gone; and his features were faded and flaccid.
Swallows twittered as they flew hither and thither about the grated window. Landolin whistled a gay tune; and he continued whistling when the key turned in the door, and his lawyer entered.
"So gay already?" said the lawyer; "I hardly knew you. Why! What made you cut off your beard?"
"Why? So the jurymen can recognize me."
"Very good. Now what do you want?"
The lawyer had not uttered a syllable about the early hour. His relation to the accused was that of a physician to his patient. Landolin, however, felt that he must make some excuse for sending for him; and he asked to see the list of jurymen, so that he might determine whom to object to, and whom to accept. First on the list, which was in alphabetical order, was the name of the miller, Armbruster, who had been summoned in Landolin's place.
The lawyer said that he had asked to be excused.