“Let me see,” said the legal authority. “What was I a-saying, gentlemen?”

“I think you was remarkin’ as you wouldn’t have no objection to another o’ the same, Sir,” said Mr. Weller, with grave facetiousness.

“Ha, ha!” laughed Mr. Pell. “Not bad, not bad. A professional man, too! At this time of the morning, it would be rather too good a⁠—Well, I don’t know, my dear⁠—you may do that again, if you please. Hem!”

This last sound was a solemn and dignified cough, in which Mr. Pell, observing an indecent tendency to mirth in some of his auditors, considered it due to himself to indulge.