James Smith."
Upon this, one of the servants from the Hall was placed in the
box.
The alteration in his master's appearance evidently puzzled the
man. Besides the perplexing change already adverted to, there was
also a change in Mr. James Smith's expression and manner. Rascal
as he was, I must do him the justice to say that he looked
startled and ashamed when he first caught sight of his
unfortunate wife. The servant, who was used to be eyed
tyrannically by him, and ordered about roughly, seeing him now
for the first time abashed and silent, stammered and hesitated on
being asked to swear to his identity.
"I can hardly say for certain, sir," said the man, addressing the
justice in a bewildered manner. "He is like my master, and yet he
isn't. If he wore whiskers and had his hair long, and if he was,
saying your presence, sir, a little more rough and ready in his
way, I could swear to him anywhere with a safe conscience."
Fortunately for us, at this moment Mr. James Smith's feeling of
uneasiness at the situation in which he was placed changed to a
feeling of irritation at being coolly surveyed and then stupidly
doubted in the matter of his identity by one of his own servants.
"Can't you say in plain words, you idiot, whether you know me or
whether you don't?" he called out, angrily.
Pages:
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484