“Have you been often refractory since you came here?”
“Once or twice, sir. But—”
“But what?”
“These gentlemen are the visiting justices?”
“Yes!”
“They would be offended if I told the truth.”
Mr. Lacy. “I am here from the Secretary of State, and I bid you tell the truth.”
Prisoner. “Oh! are you, sir; well, then, the truth is, I never was refractory but once.”
Mr. Lacy. “Oh! you were refractory once?”
Prisoner. “Yes, sir!”