"Do. It is your best course. I have no faith in these lawyers. When a man once goes into their hands, they snap their fingers at his judgment."
"True enough. Yes, I will see Harrison and take his offer."
Old Mr. Harrison was sitting in his counting room, looking over a newspaper, and feeling in a pleasant state of mind, when his relative, who had commenced a suit in the hope of dispossessing him of his property, entered. The brow of Harrison contracted the moment he saw him. Malcolm felt embarrassed, but entered at once upon the business of his visit.
"I have concluded," he said, "to accept your offer to compromise this suit."
"The deuce you have!" returned Harrison with a sneer.
"You made the offer some months ago, and I declined under advice of counsel, although my own wish was to accept it. Now, I have determined to act upon the dictate of my own judgment, and without consulting him."
"You are too late, my friend," replied Harrison. "Your case isn't worth that!" snapping his fingers. "As far as right is concerned, you have no more claim upon my property than I have upon that of John Jacob Astor. To save trouble and vexation, I was willing to buy you off at your own price; but you refused to take your own stipulation, and now I mean to stand the issue. I suppose you are aware of the beautiful position in which your lawyer has placed your suit before the court?"
"I am aware that your lawyer has taken exception to the terms of the bill; but I am not at all sure that the court will attach any weight to these exceptions. But, even if our bill is thrown out, it is an easy matter to amend it, and begin again."
"Not so easy as you may imagine. I happen to know all about that. I rather think, after we settle you on the demurrer, that we shall hear no more about your claim."
"Then you will not compromise?"