"It is, indeed," agreed Mahaffy.

"I drink as much clear water as is good for a man of my
constitution," said the judge combatively. "My talents are
wasted here," he resumed, after a little pause. "I've brought
them the blessings of the law, but what does it signify!"

"Why did you ever come here?" Mahaffy spoke sharply.

"I might ask the same question of you, and in the same offensive
tone," said the judge.

"May I ask, not wishing to take a liberty, were you always the
same old pauper you've been since I've known you?" inquired
Mahaffy. The judge maintained a stony silence.

The heat deepened in the heart of the afternoon. The sun, a ball
of fire, slipped back of the tree-tops. Thick shadows stole
across the stretch of dusty road. Off in the distance there was
the sound of cowbell. Slowly these came nearer and nearer--as
the golden light slanted, sifting deeper and deeper into the
woods.

They could see the crowd that came and went about the tavern,
they caught the distant echo of its mirth.

"Common--quite common," said the judge with somber melancholy.

"I didn't see anything common," said Mahaffy sourly. "The drinks