The
Court has been running against my interests this year. When I think I
was never so right in my life--bang goes the judgment of the Court
against me, and into my pocket goes my hand. I don't only need to save
money, I need to make it; so if you can help me in that way I'm your
man, M'sieu' la Fillette?"
The little man bristled at the misuse of his name, and he flushed
slightly also; but there was always something engaging in the
pleasure-loving master-carpenter. He had such an eloquent and warm
temperament, the atmosphere of his personality was so genial, that his
impertinence was insulated. Certainly the master-carpenter was not
unpopular, and people could not easily resist the grip of his physical
influence, while mentally he was far indeed from being deficient. He
looked as little like a villain as a man could, and yet--and yet--a
nature like that of George Masson (even the little Clerk could see that)
was not capable of being true beyond the minute in which he took his oath
of fidelity. While the fit of willingness was on him he would be true;
yet in reality there was no truth at all--only self-indulgence unmarked
by duty or honour.
"Give me a judgment for defamation of character. Give me a thousand
dollars or so for that, m'sieu', and you'll do a good turn to a deserving
fellow-citizen and admirer--one little thousand, that's all, m'sieu'.
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