"How are you, Judge?" he said. "I only came into pay my respects. I hope I have not disturbed any—entertainment going on here," he added, glancing in turn at the thoughtful occupants of the room, and then at the curtains which hid the folding doors to the apartment of his Excellency.
"Why, no," answered the Honourable Hilary, his customary grunt being the only indication of surprise on his part; "didn't know you were coming down."
"I didn't know it myself until this morning," said Austen.
"Legislative case, I suppose," remarked the Honourable Jacob Botcher, in his deep voice.
"No, merely a pleasure trip, Mr. Botcher."
The Honourable Jacob rubbed his throat, the two State senators in the window giggled, and Mr. Hamilton Tooting laughed.
"I thought you took to the mountains in such cases, sir," said Mr.
Botcher.
"I came for intellectual pleasure this time," said Austen. "I understand that Mr. Crewe is to deliver an epoch-making speech on the national situation to-morrow."
This was too much even for the gravity of Mr. Manning; Mr. Tooting and Mr. Billings and his two colleagues roared, though the Honourable Jacob's laugh was not so spontaneous.
"Aust," said Mr. Tooting, admiringly, you're all right."