“Can’t afford it; it would cost me a thousand if I won⁠—and five thousand if⁠—if I lost.”

“If you lost !” The Rev. Peter looked at him in wonder. John tried to look him straight in the face, but his glance wavered in the shy distress of an innocent man who suspects the beginnings of doubt in a friend’s mind.

“Yes⁠—you know what a Law Court is⁠—anything may happen⁠—and I should never make a good show in the witness box, if I stood there forever.”

“I don’t care⁠—you can’t sit down under it. You’ll lose your job, won’t you⁠—for one thing?”

“No⁠—I don’t know⁠—I can’t help it if I do.”