Before the Bench. 153 



As none was forthcoming, the bench turned a little 

 aside and spoke in low tones. The defendant's wife 

 immediately set up a sobbing, varied occasionally by 

 a shriek ; the infant woke up and cried, and two or 

 three women of the same party behind began to talk 

 in excited tones about ' Shame.' The sentence was 2/. 

 and costs an announcement that caused a perfect 

 storm of howling and crying. 



The defendant put his hands in his pockets with 

 the complacent expression of a martyr. ' I must go 

 to gaol a' spose ; none of ourn ever went thur afore : 

 a' spose / must go.' ' Come,' said the Clerk, ' why, 

 you or your brother bought a piece of land and a 

 cottage not long ago,' then to the bench, ' They're 

 not real gipsies : he is a grandson of old Bottleton 

 who had the tollgate ; you recollect, Sir.' 



But the defendant declares he has no money ; his 

 friends shake their heads gloomily ; and amid the 

 shrieking of his wife and the crying of the child he 

 is removed in the custody of two constables, to be 

 presently conveyed to gaol. With ferocious glances 

 at the bench, as if they would like to tear the chair- 

 man's eyes out, the women leave the court. 



' Next case,' calls the Clerk. The court sits about 

 two hours longer, having taken some five hours to 

 get through six cases. Just as the chairman rises the 



