“What answer did you give her?” asked Haire, bluntly.
“I said,—what it is always safe to say,—'Le roi s'avisera.' Eh, Beattie? this is the grand principle of your own craft. Medicine is very little else than 'the wisdom of waiting.' I told her,” continued he, “I would think of it,—that I would see the child. 'He is here,' said she, rising and leaving the room, and in a few moments returned, leading a little boy by the hand,—a very noble-looking child, I will say, with a lofty head and a bold brow. He met me as might a prince, and gave his hand as though it were an honor he bestowed. What a conscious power there is in youth! Ay, sirs, that is the real source of all the much-boasted vigor and high-heartedness. Beattie will tell us some story of arterial action or nervous expansion; but the mystery lies deeper. The conscious force of a future development imparts a vigor that all the triumphs of after life pale before.”
“'Fiat justitia, ruât coelum,'” said Haire,—“I'd not provide for people out of my own family.”
“It is a very neat though literal translation, sir, and, like all that comes from you, pointed and forcible.”
“I'd rather be fair and honest than either,” said Haire, bluntly.
“I appeal to you, Beattie, and I ask if I have deserved this;” and the old Judge spoke with an air of such apparent sincerity as actually to impose upon the doctor. “The sarcasms of this man push my regard for him to the last intrenchment.”
“Haire never meant it; he never intended to reflect upon you,” said Beattie, in a low tone.
“He knows well enough that I did not,” said Haire, half sulky; for he thought the Chief was pushing his raillery too far.
“I 'm satisfied,” said the Judge, with a sigh. “I suppose he can't help it. There are fencers who never believe they have touched you till they see the blood. Be it so; and now to go back. She went away and left the child with me, promising to take him up after paying a visit she had to make in the neighborhood. I was not sorry to have the little fellow's company. He was most agreeable, and, unlike Haire, he never made me his butt. Well, I have done; I will say no more on that head. I was actually sorry when she came to fetch him, and I believe I said so. What does that grunt mean, Haire?”
“I did not speak.”