fellow's got to swing in a minute or two; and it's me that's done it!" It would be a terror if that was to happen every week or so; and I'm glad for your sake, Sir James'
She broke off suddenly; why, it is difficult to say, for no one had spoken; but perhaps that was the very reason. At all events, she remembered her experience of Bush law, and got to her point, now, quickly enough.
'I was once at a trial myself, Sir James, in the Bush,' she said (and there was certainly a general sense of relief). 'My own father was boss—or Judge, if you like—that trip. There were only four people there; the sergeant, who was jailer and witness as well, father, the prisoner, and me; I looked on.'
'Is your father a member of the Colonial Bar?' inquired Sir James, mildly.
'Lord, no, Sir James! He's only a magistrate. Why, he'd only got to remand the poor chap down to Cootamundra; yet he had to consult gracious knows how many law-books (the sergeant had them ready) to do it properly!'
They all laughed; but there was a good deal that ought not to have been laughed at. A moment before, when her subject was about as unfortunate as it could have been,
