“Mr. Hawes by you gentlemen; Mr. Eden by the rest of the nation.”
Here Mr. Palmer put in his word. “I don't think we ought to pay less respect to one man's bare assertion than to another's. It is a case for proof.”
“Well, but, Palmer,” replied Woodcock, “how can the jail go on with these two at daggers drawn?”
“It cannot,” said Mr. Eden.
“Ah, you can see that.”
“A house divided against itself!” suggested Mr. Eden.
“Well, then,” said Mr. Woodcock, “let us try and give a more friendly tone to this discussion.”
“Why not?—our weapons would bear polishing.”
“Yes; you have a high reputation, Mr. Eden, both for learning and Christian feeling; in fact, the general consideration in which you are held has made us more lenient in this case than we should have been with another man in your office.”
“There you are all wrong.”