'He has only the feelings of a tomtit,' said Dockwrath.
Lodgings had been taken for the two chief witnesses together, and Moulder and Dockwrath shared the accommodation with them. As they sat down to tea together, these two gentlemen doubtless felt that Bridget Bolster was not exactly fitting company for them. But the necessities of an assize week, and of such a trial as this, level much of these distinctions, and they were both prepared to condescend and become affable.
'Well, Mrs. Bolster, and how do you find yourself?' asked Dockwrath.
Bridget was a solid, square-looking woman, somewhat given to flesh, and now not very quick in her movements. But the nature of her past life had given to her a certain amount of readiness, and an absence of that dread of her fellow-creatures which so terribly afflicted poor Kenneby. And then also she was naturally not a stupid woman, or one inclined to me muddle-headed. Perhaps it would be too much to say that she was generally intelligent, but what she did understand, she understood thoroughly.
'Pretty well, I thank you, Mr. Dockwrath. I sha'n't be so sorry to have a bit of something to my tea.'
Bridget Bolster perfectly understood that she was to be well fed when thus brought out for work in her country's service. To have everything that she wanted to eat and drink at places of public entertainment, and then to have the bills paid for her behind her back, was to Bridget Bolster the summit of transitory human bliss.
'And you shall have something to your tea,' said Dockwrath. 'What's it to be?'
'A steak's as good as anything at these places,' suggested Moulder.
'Or some ham and eggs,' suggested Dockwrath.
'Kidneys is nice,' said Bridget.
'What do you say, Kenneby?' asked Dockwrath.
'It is nothing to me,' said Kenneby; 'I have no appetite. I think I'll take a little brandy-and-water.'
Mr. Moulder possessed the most commanding spirit, and the steak was ordered. They then made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would admit, and gradually fell into a general conversation about the trial. It had been understood among them since they first came together, that as a matter of etiquette the witnesses were not to be asked what they had to say. Kenneby was not to divulge his facts in plain language, nor Bridget Bolster those which belonged to her; but it was open to them all to take a general view of the matter, and natural that at the present moment they should hardly be able to speak of anything else. And there was a very divided opinion on the subject of the dispute; Dockwrath, of course, expressing a strong conviction in favour of a verdict of guilty, and
