“What did he say?” he inquired.

“He fined you $10,” explained the clerk.

“For what?”

“For contempt of this court,” said the clerk.

The lawyer shot a poisonous look toward the bench and reached a hand into his pocket.

“I’ll pay it now,” he said. “It’s a just debt!”

§ 8 The Spirit of Seventy-six, with Improvements

A New York East Sider met a friend on Third Avenue and told him he had quit the buttonhole-making trade.

“I’m in the art business now,” he said, proudly—“such a fine business, too! Lots of money in it!”

“What do you mean—art business?” demanded his friend.