“Not upon legal business—humph!” replied Mr Forster, eyeing Newton. “Well, then, if that is the case, do me the favour to sit down in the office until I have communicated with this gentleman.”
Newton, taking up his hat, walked out of the door, which was opened by Mr Forster, and sat down in the next room until he should be summoned. Although the door between them was closed, it was easy to hear the sound of the voices within. For some minutes they fell upon Newton’s ears; that of the young man like the loud yelping of a cur; that of his uncle like the surly growl of some ferocious beast. At last the door opened:—
“But, sir,” cried the young man, in alto.
“Pay, sir, pay! I tell you pay!” answered the lawyer, in a stentorian voice.
“But he has cheated me, sir!”
“Never mind—pay!”
“Charged twice their value, sir!”
“I tell you, pay!”
“But, sir, such imposition!”
“I have told you twenty times, sir, and now tell you again—and for the last time—pay!”