"I am ready to hear your case now, officer."
Upon this Blott, who had in some measure regained his composure, stepped forward and raised his hand to be sworn, but remembering that such formality was unnecessary, dropped it, with a gesture of disgust, and answered:
"Please, your honor, this is the lad the summons was for," nodding down on me as he concluded.
Motioning me to come forward, the justice spoke up, with a reassuring smile:
"Don't be frightened, my son, for no one here intends you harm." This as if in answer to my distressed look, or perhaps because he too had a child somewhere more happily placed than I. Then, assuming the air of his office, he went on, but mildly and as if to give me courage:
"What is your name, young man?"
"Gilbert Holmes, sir?"
"How old are you?"
"Twelve, if you please.'
"You look older. Are your parents alive?"