“About wearing that toggery. He won’t stand it.”
However, he had to stand it, and, fair play to him, though he used to tease me about it, we never quarrelled over it. I went before him often, and much pleased him by persuading the Divisional Court to uphold him on appeal in a building case.
I became quite a favourite of his, and he would always take a case of mine first when he could. I remember once two Chancery men with long affidavits and witnesses to cross-examine were ahead of me, and Crompton Hutton as soon as they were seated turned round to the defendant’s counsel and said, “Call your client.”
“Call my client?” said the astonished advocate. “I want to cross-examine the plaintiff’s witnesses first.”
“I know you do,” said the judge with a sneer, “but we don’t waste time that way here. You will
be asking for further consideration next, but you won’t get it here.”
“But I’m entitled to——”
“Certainly, but not at other people’s expense. Now, Mr. Parry.”
And the Chancery protests were unavailing. I got heard and sent away.
I just caught the beginning of the Chancery case. The defendant’s counsel was again asked to put the defendant in the box, and refused.