"No, no, Brewster."
The lawyer laughed as he said:
"Right or wrong, you know—'my country'—that is, my client—''tis of thee.'" Turning to Alicia, he added laughingly: "That's the painful part of a lawyer's profession, Mrs. Jeffries. The client's weakness is the lawyer's strength. When men hate each other and rob each other we lawyers don't pacify them. We dare not, because that is our profession. We encourage them. We pit them against each other for profit. If we didn't they'd go to some lawyer who would."
Alicia gave a feeble smile.
"Yes," she replied; "I'm afraid we all love to be advised to do what we want to do."
Mr. Jeffries made an impatient gesture of dissent. Scoffingly he remarked:
"That may apply to the great generality of people, but not to me."
Judge Brewster looked skeptical, but made no further comment. The banker rose and Alicia followed suit. As he moved toward the door, he turned and said:
"Drop in and see me this evening, Brewster. Mrs. Jeffries will be delighted if you will dine with us."
Alicia smiled graciously. "Do come, judge; we shall be all alone."