“Why, father,” he said, cheerfully, “I’m behaving very badly to you. You must want something to eat.”
“No, my boy, I had something before I came in, for fear I should put you out. I don’t want anything else.”
“Till dinner-time, father,” said Luke, smiling. “You and I will dine together and enjoy ourselves.”
“But that poor woman, Luke?”
“We’ll settle all that, father, after dinner. You shall give me the address, and I will either get a fresh solicitor to take the matter up or consult with theirs.”
“But won’t you fight for them, my boy?”
“To be sure I will, father, and do my best. But you don’t understand these matters; an attorney has to draw up the brief.”
“Of course, yes, of course, my boy.”
“He brings it to me like this,” said Luke, taking up the one he had been studying, “with all the principal points of the case neatly written out, as a sort of history, giving me the particulars necessary, so that I can master them in a quick, concise way.”
“Yes, I see, my boy.”