“Of course. If I—”
“Then what the hell do you want to put in more time on more study for? If you don’t know how to handle this case say so, and I’ll get someone who does.”
“My dear Mrs. Cool! You simply—”
“The hell with that stuff,” Bertha interrupted. “I don’t want any demurrers. I don’t want to pay fancy prices to gain time I’m going to have to pay for. I simply want to file an answer telling this goddamned little twerp where she gets off.”
“My dear Mrs. Cool! Please! I ask you as your attorney, don’t keep referring to the plaintiff as a twerp.”
“She’s a damned gold-digging little bitch,” Bertha said, angrily raising her voice. “She’s a mealy-mouthed hypocrite.”
“Mrs. Cool! Mrs. Cool! You’ll ruin your chances of defending this lawsuit.”
“You know what she is as well as I do. She—”
“Mrs. Cool! Please. N ow I am going to tell you something once and for all. If you even think of the plaintiff in this action in that way, you’re going to lose your temper in court and throw your entire case out of the window. Those words show malice. I instruct you as your lawyer, I warn you, that you must studiously make a habit of referring to this young woman as a thoroughly estimable young lady, otherwise you’re going to regret it.”
“You mean I’ve got to let her throw this action in my face and still like her?”