The cobbler took possession of himself with a tremendous effort, and looked sharply from his bleared eyes for an instant as he said,—
"An' what do you know about shoemakin'?"
"As much as two years in State prison could learn me, Larry; though I don't think you need to have asked me."
"It's all right, me boy; I take it back; an' if ever I'm sent to State prison myself you may ask it of me ten times over; that's the Bible rule, I belave. Now I'll go home to my wife an' family, an' if you choose to finish that shoe an' stay here until Mrs. Judge Prency comes in to get it, why, you're quite welcome to do the work an' keep the pay; I tould her fifty cints."
Sam began work upon the bit of repairing which he had taken from the shoemaker's hands, and although it was not of the routine nature which all of his jail-work had placed in his hands, he knew enough of the requirements of an ordinary shoe to do what was necessary. While he was working, the room suddenly darkened, and as he looked up he saw Mrs. Judge Prency herself.
"Why it's Mr. Kimper! Are you working here?"
"Only to finish a job that was promised for this afternoon, Mrs. Prency."
"Where's Larry?"
"He felt very badly," said Sam, "an' he wanted to go home, an' I promised to finish his work for him. I believe this is your job, ma'am?" said he, holding the shoe in the air for an instant.
"Yes," said the judge's wife. "I will sit down for a moment, if you will allow me, while you finish it."