"Oh, did he come out here? But I swear I did not send him. In fact, I told him not to come."
"Ah, and is that the reason he came—because you told him not to? He was never here before in his life, and why should he say that you sent him?"
"Because he is a poor old liar, I suppose. I admit that I saw him in his office and—"
"A gradual acknowledgment is better than no acknowledgment at all. Why did you see him in his office, or why did you speak of me?"
"Father, if you'll only be patient with me I will tell you. Your bearing toward me has been distressful. I was afraid that your mind—"
"Enough of that. My mind is sounder, sir, than yours will ever be. But, suppose something were wrong. Is he the physician to consult? Why, his mind has been dead for years. Why did you consult him if it were not in contempt of me? I ask you why?"
"I was standing in the door of our office and happened to notice his sign just across the hall; and I thought that as he knew you well, I would speak to him. I soon saw that he didn't know what he was talking about, and when he suggested that he ought to see you, I told him no, and changed the subject. That's my offense, and I beg your pardon."
"I will try to believe you," said the Judge, sitting down. "Your office is down town. This one is mine."
"Yes, sir, and I will not intrude. I wouldn't have come in but you wanted—"
The Judge waved his hand. "Our business has been transacted."