It was very pleasant not to have to hurry to the office in the morning, and not to be obliged to furnish all the brains that were supposed to be accessible in this home of the law.
After a few minutes' silence Judge Trent looked up again from his steaming shoes.
"Ever been in love, Dunham?" he asked suddenly.
The young lawyer raised his eyes, with evident effort to bring his attention from the subject in hand, and regarded the quaint face and figure of his employer.
The vagueness of his stare caused the judge to stir and cough with some embarrassment.
"Oh, no matter, of course. I just happened to think of it. When I was your age I had it bad: thought if I couldn't have that one girl life wouldn't be worth living." The speaker's foot slipped on the radiator, and he readjusted his chair.
"Just happened to meet her out there a minute ago;" he jerked the tall hat in the direction of the street.
"That must have been rather startling." Dunham had by this time collected his ideas.
"Oh, no. We've both always lived here; she's kept tab on me ever since; kind of puts the burden of proof on me to show that I can get along without her, if you understand."
"And you've shown her, eh?"