ought to be
satisfied; but really that is one of the most disparaging things in the
profession, the most disparaging, I may say; we find it so difficult to
show our clients that we have done enough for them."

"An' thee think, sir, as we shall win un?" said Bumpkin.

"Well," said Mr. Prigg, "I never like to prophesy; but if ever a case
looked like winning it's _Bumpkin_ v. _Snooks_. And I may tell you this,
Mr. Bumpkin, only pray don't say that I told you."

"What be thic, sir?" asked the eager client, with his eyes open as widely
as ever client's can be.

"The other side are in a tre-_men_-dous way!"

"What, funkin', be um? I said so. That there Snooks be a rank bad
un--now, then, we'll at un like steam."

"All in good time, Bumpkin," said the worthy Prigg, affectionately taking
his client's hand. "All in good time. My kind regards to Mrs. Bumpkin.
I suppose you return to-night?"

"Ay, sir, I be off by the fust train. Good day t' ye, sir; good day and
thankee."

Thus comforted and thus grateful did the confiding client take leave of
his legal adviser, who immediately took down his costs-book and booked a
long conference, including the two hours that Mr. Bumpkin was kept in the
"outer office." This followed immediately after another "long conference
with you when you thought we should be in the paper to-morrow from what a
certain Mr. O'Rapley had told you, and I thought we should not."

As he passed through the "outer office" he shook. Horatio by the hand.
"Good-bye, sir. I knows what it wur now--bean't comin' on."

"Don't say I told you," said the pale boy, as though he were afraid of
communicating some tremendous secret.

"Noa, thee bean't told I. Now, lookee 'ere, Mr. Jigger, come down when
thee like; I shall be rare and prood to see thee, and so'll Missus."

"Thanks," said Horatio; "I'll be sure and come. _Mither woy_!"

"Ha! mither woy, lad! that's ur; thee got un. Good-bye."

CHAPTER XXXI.

Mr. Bumpkin at home again.

How peaceful the farm seemed after all the turmoil and worry that Farmer
Bumpkin had been subjected to in London! What a haven of rest is a
peaceful Home! How the ducks seemed to quack!--louder, as Mr. Bumpkin
thought, than they ever did before. The little flock of sheep looked up
as he went, with his old ash stick under his arm, to look round the farm.
They seemed to say to one another, "Why, here's Master; I told you he'd
come back." And the cows turned t