The court twinkled. "I was only meaning how silly it seemed to a plain man for him to have to refer to himself as the court. I'm not going to fine you, Mr. Wade--not this time. I could, of course, but I won't. It would be unfair to lecture you first and then fine you. Besides, there is something else. You have had great provocation and I feel compelled to take that into consideration. Your apology is accepted. I don't know who began it--but if you have been insulting the prisoner it is no less true that the prisoner has been aggravating you. I don't know as I ever saw a more provoking man. I been keepin' an eye on him--his eyebrows, the corners of his eyes, the corners of his mouth, his shoulder-shrugging, and his elbows, and his teeth and his toes. Mr. Wade, your moldy old saw about a fool for a client was never more misplaced. This man can out talk you and never open his mouth. I'd leave him alone if I was you--he might make a fool of you." Johnny half opened his mouth. The judge regarded him sternly. The mouth closed hastily. Johnny dimpled. The judge's hammer fell with a crash. "I give you both fair notice right now," said Judge Hinkle, "if you start any more of this quarreling I'm goin' to slap on a fine that'll bring a blister." Johnny rose timidly and addressed the court. "Your Honor, I'm aimin' to 'tend strictly to my knittin' from now on. But if I should make a slip, and you do have to fine me--couldn't you make it a jail sentence instead? I'm awful short of money, Your Honor." He reached behind him and hitched up the tail of his vest with both hands, delicately; this accomplished, he sank into his chair, raised his trousers gently at the knee and gazed about him innocently. "My Honor will be--" The judge bit the sentence in two, leaving the end in doubt; he regarded the prisoner with baleful attention. The prisoner gazed through a window. The judge beckoned to Mr. Gwinne, who sat on the front seat between See and Hobby Lull. Mr. Gwinne came forward. The judge leaned across the desk. "Mr. Gwinne, do you feed this prisoner well?" "Yes, sir." "About what, now, for instance?" "Oh--beefsteak, ham and eggs, _enchilados_, canned stuff--most anything." "Mr. Gwinne, if I told you to put this prisoner on a strict ration, would you obey orders?" "I certainly would." "That's all," said the judge. "Thank you. Mr. Dines, you may go on with the case. The witness may answer the question. Objection overruled. State your question again, Mr. Dines." "Mr. Hales, will you tell His Honor what color was the calf I branded in Redgate Cañon, day before yesterday, about two o'clock in the afternoon?" "I don't know," answered Hales sulkily. "Oh! You didn't see it, then?" "No." "Then you are not able to state that it was a calf belonging to Adam Forbes?" "No." Johnny's eyes sought the window. "Nor whether it was a calf or a yearling?" "Of course not." "Did you see me brand the calf?"