"I think I'd better see her first," he said. "Suppose you come back a little later. It's more than probable that she'll be here this afternoon. I'll see her and arrange for an interview."
There was a knock at the door, and Alicia started guiltily, thinking her husband might have overheard their conversation. The head clerk entered and whispered something to the judge, after which he retired. The lawyer turned to Alicia with a smile.
"It's just as I thought," he said pleasantly, "she's out there now. You'd better go and leave her to me."
The door opened again unceremoniously, and Mr. Jeffries put in his head:
"Aren't you coming, Alicia?" he demanded impatiently. In a lower voice to the lawyer, he added: "Say, Brewster, that woman is outside in your office. Now is your opportunity to come to some arrangement with her."
Again Mrs. Jeffries held out her hand.
"Good-by, judge; you're so kind! It needs a lot of patience to be a lawyer, doesn't it?"
Judge Brewster laughed, and added in an undertone:
"Come back by and by."
The door closed, and the lawyer went back to his desk. For a few moments he sat still plunged in deep thought. Suddenly, he touched a bell. The head clerk entered.