CHAPTER XIX. 



THE VEKDICT WEDDING BELLS. 



Whilst the learned Judge discussed his natives, the equally 

 learned Counsel wrestled with the antediluvian bun and the 

 pre-historic sandwich. It has been said, and truly, that 

 England, more than any other country, rewards her sons 

 liberally for valour, but why, oh, why, is there no Cross, 

 no medal, for the man who boldly pits his digestive organs 

 against the evil forces arrayed in their might, on the every- 

 day refreshment counter '? The railway-station sandwich, 

 and the insidious Bath bun can claim their victims just as 

 certainly as battle and plague ; and ' a good man struggling 

 \yith adversity ' is surely never better exemplified to our eyes 

 than when we see a friend libating lemonade or worrying a 

 sausage roll. 



At a little past two o'clock, his Lordship, full of energy and 

 Whitstables, came back into Court, and the cross-examination 

 of the plaintiff by Mr. Eonald Dennison was resumed. Things 

 ruled quiet for a time, but then Counsel for the defence put in 

 some nasty shots which not only reduced the fair lady once 

 more to tears, but also succeeded in making Mr. Silky look 

 extremely uncomfortable for the ultimate issue of his case. 



Sir Tommy and Jack Dashwood had come up expressly for 

 the fun of seeing their dear friend Binkie well trounced, and 



