“Oh, Mr Burne!” cried Lawrence reproachfully.
“You hold your tongue, boy. You’re out of court. You haven’t been a lawyer for nearly forty years; I have.”
“I have tried hard to win Mr Burne’s confidence,” said Yussuf gravely. “I am sorry I have failed.”
“But you have not failed, my good fellow,” cried the old lawyer. “I only say, Are you a real Turk or a sham?”
“Will your excellency explain?” said Yussuf with dignity. “I speak your tongue, and understand plain meanings, but when there are two thoughts in a word I cannot follow.”
“I mean, my dear fellow, you so thoroughly understand the thoughts and ways of English gentlemen that it is hard to think you are a born Turk.”
“Oh!” said Yussuf smiling. “I have been so much with them, excellency, and—I have tried to learn.”
“There’s a lesson for you, Lawrence,” said the professor smiling. “Well, then, Yussuf, to-morrow night.”
“Yes, excellency.”
“Then, had we not better tell the Chumleys?”