And Tom was beat,
And Tom went roaring
Down the street,"

sang the prisoner, in a sweet little voice.

"Your 'ludship,' singing is contempt of court; you will please fine the
prisoner at the bar," said the counsel, regardless of the fact that the
prisoner was supposed to be his client.

"Silence, both of you!" cried the judge, with impartial justice,
rapping his desk sharply with a brass paper-cutter. "Now, Mr.
Barrister, state the case." Then, in an aside, "Wasn't that well said?"

"The prisoner has stolen a pig, your 'ludship,'" said the counsel. "He
admits it, but as the animal has been eaten--"

"And the prisoner has been beaten," put in the incorrigible Selwyn.

"And the prisoner is a stranger in a strange land," continued Rex,
ignoring the irrelevant remark, "a most noble and learned
American--ahem!--what sentence, your 'ludship,' shall be passed upon
him?"

"Hum, hum!" said his "ludship," resting his cheek on his hand
meditatively, trying to assume the expression which he had seen
sometimes on papa's face when he and Selwyn were under consideration
for some childish offence.

"The court waits, your 'ludship,'" remarked the counsel, throwing a