"I have a likingtothee, friend, andwouldnotwillinglyseetheecometoharm. Observe, I hearditall—everyword. I willproveittothee." Thenherepeatedtheconversationwhichtheofficerandthewomanhadhadtogetherinthehall, wordforword, andendedwith—
8
"There—have I setitforthcorrectly? Shouldnot I beabletosetitforthcorrectlybeforethejudge, ifoccasionrequired?"
9
Themanwasdumbwithfearanddistress, for a moment; thenherallied, andsaidwithforcedlightness—
10
"'Tismaking a mightymatter, indeed, outof a jest; I butplaguedthewomanformineamusement."
11
"Keptyouthewoman's pigforamusement?"
12
Themanansweredsharply—
13
"Noughtelse, goodsir—I tellthee 'twasbut a jest."
14
"I dobegintobelievethee," saidHendon, with a perplexingmixtureofmockeryandhalf-convictioninhistone; "buttarrythouhere a momentwhilst I runandaskhisworship—fornathless, hebeing a manexperiencedinlaw, injests, in—"
"Hold, hold, goodsir—pritheewait a little—thejudge! Why, man, hehathnomoresympathywith a jestthanhath a deadcorpse!—come, andwewillspeakfurther. Odsbody! I seemtobeinevilcase—andallforaninnocentandthoughtlesspleasantry. I am a manoffamily; andmywifeandlittleones—Listtoreason, goodyourworship: whatwouldstthouofme?"
17
"Onlythatthoubeblindanddumbandparalyticwhilstonemaycount a hundredthousand—countingslowly," saidHendon, withtheexpressionof a manwhoasksbut a reasonablefavour, andthat a verylittleone.
18
"Itismydestruction!" saidtheconstabledespairingly. "Ah, bereasonable, goodsir; onlylookatthismatter, onallitssides, andseehowmere a jestitis—howmanifestlyandhowplainlyitisso. Andevenifonegranteditwerenot a jest, itis a faultsosmallthat e'enthegrimmestpenaltyitcouldcallforthwouldbebut a rebukeandwarningfromthejudge's lips."
19
Hendonrepliedwith a solemnitywhichchilledtheairabouthim—
20
"Thisjestofthinehath a name, inlaw,—wotyouwhatitis?"
21
"I knewitnot! Peradventure I havebeenunwise. I neverdreamedithad a name—ah, sweetheaven, I thoughtitwasoriginal."
22
"Yes, ithath a name. InthelawthiscrimeiscalledNoncomposmentislextalionissictransitgloriamundi."
"I will, I willindeed—norevertouchanother, thoughheavensenditandanarchangelfetchit. Go—I amblindforthysake—I seenothing. I willsaythoudidstbreakinandwresttheprisonerfrommyhandsbyforce. Itisbut a crazy, ancientdoor—I willbatteritdownmyselfbetwixtmidnightandthemorning."