“He was high sheriff the first year I went that circuit,” said the judge.
“And how has it ended?—where is he now?” whispered the Secretary.
“I persuaded him to come home here with me, and after a little calming down he became reasonable and has gone to his own house, but only within the last hour. It was that my servant whispered me, when he last brought in the wine.”
“And I suppose, after all,” said the Poor-Law Commissioner, “there was nothing peculiar in this instance; his case was one of thousands.”
“Quite true, sir,” said Lindley. “Statistical tables can take no note of such-like applicants for out-door relief; all are classified as paupers.”
“It must be acknowledged,” said the Secretary, in a tone of half rebuke, “that the law has worked admirably; there is but one opinion on that subject in England.”
“I should be greatly surprised were it otherwise,” said Lindley; “I never heard that the Cornish fishermen disparaged shipwrecks!”
“Who is that gentleman?” whispered the Secretary to Dunn.
“A gentleman very desirous to be Crown Prosecutor at Melbourne,” said Dunn, with a smile.
“He expresses himself somewhat freely,” whispered the other.