“Yes, to be merciful however sinful you may be. But it’s not my doing, it’s the law! Think of that! I have my duty to God and to my country; I shall be taking a great sin upon myself if I soften the law, think of that!”

“Your honour!”

“But there! So be it, for your sake! I know I am doing wrong, but so be it⁠ ⁠… I will have mercy on you this time. I’ll let you off easy. But what if I am doing you harm? If I have mercy on you this once and let you off easily, and you’ll reckon on it being the same next time and commit a crime again, what then? It will be on my conscience.”

“Your honour! I’d not let friend or foe! As before the throne of the Heavenly Father⁠ ⁠…”

“All right, all right! But do you swear to behave yourself for the future?”

“Strike me dead, may I never in the world to come⁠ ⁠…”