Ranulf began again, “Victoria Lawsenj, you are charged with stealing a tart and some steak.”
“Must pray yer Ludsh’p t’ excuse me ’gain; yer Ludship said tart and steak.”
“Was that the wrong order?” said Ranulf, meekly; “then I’ll say steak and tart.”
NOTA DOUBT OF IT.
“But, m’ Lud, the steak is a mistake, and the tart is another.”
“Very well,” said Ranulf; “I’ll say that she is charged with stealing a female steak—cow-beef—and that the tart was not really a tart but a beefsteak pie.”
“But, m’ Lud,” said the Clerk; “really, m’ Lud, yer Ludship knows best, m’ Lud, of course; but, m’ Lud, I would suggest that your Ludship said tart instead of heart.”
Here Norval, remembering what he had seen in court, broke in, “But tart is right; it must be right—I’ve got it in my notes.”
This completely flabbergasted the Clerk, who gasped a feeble “M’ Lud,” and sank down in his seat in despair.