of business-time in mastering thy case, and stating
my opinion of it. And being a member of the bar, called six-and-thirty
years agone by the honourable society of the Inner Temple, my fee is
at my own discretion; albeit an honorarium. For the honour of the
profession, and my position in it, I ought to charge thee at least five
guineas, although I would have accepted one, offered with good will
and delicacy. Now I will enter it two, my son, and half a crown for my
clerk's fee.'

Saying this, he drew forth from his deep, blue bag, a red book having
clasps to it, and endorsed in gold letters 'Fee-book'; and before I
could speak (being frightened so) he had entered on a page of it, 'To
consideration of ease as stated by John Ridd, and advising thereupon,
two guineas.'

'But sir, good sir,' I stammered forth, not having two guineas left in
the world, yet grieving to confess it, 'I knew not that I was to pay,
learned sir. I never thought of it in that way.'

'Wounds of God! In what way thought you that a lawyer listened to your
rigmarole?'

'I thought that you listened from kindness, sir, and compassion of my
grievous case, and a sort of liking for me.'

'A lawyer like thee, young curmudgeon! A lawyer afford to feel
compassion gratis! Either thou art a very deep knave, or the greenest of
all greenhorns. Well, I suppose, I must let thee off for one guinea, and
the clerk's fee. A bad business, a shocking business!'

Now, if this man had continued kind and soft, as when he heard my story,
I would have pawned my clothes to pay him, rather than leave a debt
behind, although contracted unwittingly. But when he used harsh language
so, knowing that I did not deserve it, I began to doubt within myself
whether he deserved my money. Therefore I answered him with some
readiness, such as comes sometimes to me, although I am so slow.

'Sir, I am no curmudgeon: if a young man had called me so, it would not
have been well with him. This money shall be paid, if due, albeit I
had no desire to incur the debt. You have advised me that the Court
is liable for my expenses, so far as they be reasonable. If this be
a reasonable expense, come with me now to Lord Justice Jeffreys, and
receive from him the two guineas, or (it may be) five, for the counsel
you have given me to deny his jurisdiction.' With these words, I took
his arm to lead him, for the door was open still.

'In the name of God, boy, let me go. Worthy sir, pray let me go. My