"The less we say about _that_ the better," replied Mr. Berrington; "I have not had my eyes shut, I can tell you! It's a hard case, Mr. Crafty; but after all your pains, and the dreadful expense incurred, it's nevertheless quite farcical to think of going on with a committee like this"---- "Of course the petition is abandoned," replied Crafty. The next morning they again appeared before the committee. "I have to inform the committee," commenced Mr. Berrington, with sufficient sternness, "that my learned friends and I, who had, in our ignorance and inexperience, imagined, till yesterday, that the evidence we then opened was ten times more than sufficient to establish agency before any _legal_ tribunal"---- "Counsel will be pleased to moderate their excitement, and to treat the committee with due respect," interrupted the chairman, warmly, and reddening as he spoke; while the ministerial members looked very fiercely at Mr. Berrington, and one or two placed their arms a-kimbo. --"Have come to the determination to withdraw the petitioner's case from before the committee; as, under existing circumstances, it would be utterly absurd to attempt"---- "Fait, sir, an' you're mighty indacent--ye are--an' you'd better keep a civil tongue in your head," said Mr. O'Doodle, fiercely, and with an insolent look at Mr. Berrington. "Sir," said the latter, addressing Mr. O'Doodle with a bitter smile--"as it is possible to stand where I do without ceasing to be a gentleman, so it is possible to sit _there_--without becoming one." "Sir--Misther Chairman--I'll only just ask you, sir--isn't _that_ a brache of privelige"---- "Oh, be aisy--aisy wid ye--and isn't he _hired_ to say all this?" whispered Mr. Hubbaboo; and the indignant senator sat down. "The petition is withdrawn, sir," said Mr. Berrington, calmly. "Then," subjoined his opponent, as quietly rising as his learned friend had sat down, "I respectfully apply to the committee to vote it _Frivolous and vexatious_."