“If he hadn’t, so much the better for the Plaintiff, and so much the worse for Naboth.”
“I don’t understand; if Naboth had done no wrong, surely it would be far better for him than if he had.”
“Not in the long run, my dear: and for this reason, if he had encroached it would have taken very little trouble to ascertain the fact, and Naboth being a just and honest man, would only require to have it pointed out to him to remedy the evil. Maps and plans of the estate would doubtless have shown him his mistake, and, like a wise man, he would have avoided going to law.”
“I see clearly that the good man would have said, ‘Neighbour Ahab, we have been on neighbourly terms for a long lime, and I do not wish in any way to alter that excellent feeling which has always subsisted between us. I see clearly by these maps and plans which worthy Master Metefield hath shown me that my hedge hath encroached some six inches upon thy domain, wherefore, Neighbour Ahab, take, I pray thee, as much of the land as belongeth unto thee, according to just admeasurement.”
“Why certainly, so would the honest Naboth have communed with Ahab, and there would have been an end of the business.”
“But show me, darling, how being in the wrong was better for good Naboth than being in the right in this business?”
“Most willingly,” said I; “you see, my dear, there was quickly an end of the matter by Naboth yielding to the just demands of neighbour Ahab. But now let us suppose honest Naboth in the right concerning his vineyard, and neighbour Ahab to be making an unjust demand. You have already most justly observed that in that case it would be cowardly on the part of Naboth to yield without a struggle?”
“Assuredly.”
“Well then, that means a lawsuit.”
“But surely,” said my wife, “it ought to be soon seen who is in the wrong. Where is Master Metefield who you said just now was so accurate a surveyor, and where are those plans you spoke of which showed the situation of the estates?”