“One cannot very well hold a consultation with one’s client before one receives one’s brief.”
“What dignity!”
“Is it not at least half the stock in trade of mediocrity?”
“What modesty! Do I take it that the rather formidable ’Ercles vein of last night is really no more?”
“You may not. It is waxing higher and higher.”
“Defend us, gentle heaven and pious gods!”
“A truce to these pleasantries. Put on your hat and take me to the jail to see the accused.”
“You are going a little fast, my young friend, are you not? Is it wholly necessary that you should see the accused? Is it wholly to her interest or to yours?”
“Wholly, I assure you.”
“Well, before we get as far as that, I am particularly curious to know what line you have decided to take. Is it too much to ask that you have decided not to adhere to the acquittal? Speaking for myself, I must confess that the more consideration I give to the question, the less do I like that idea. Tobin would certainly have taken the line of insanity.”