And the aged Terrapin evidently appreciated in full the sanctity of this family altar, and duly realized the importance of his position as its High Priest. Indeed, there was a gravity, a dignity, and repose about him as he limped through his ministrations which I had noticed in him before. If he showed any nervousness at all it was as he glanced now and then toward the drawing-room door through which the Judge must enter. And yet he appeared outwardly calm, even under this strain. For had he not provided for every emergency? Were not His Honor's viands already at that moment on the kitchen hearth, with special plates over them to keep them hot against his arrival? And what a luncheon it was! The relays of fried chicken, baked sweet potatoes, corn-bread, and mango pickles--a most extraordinary production, I maintain, is a mango pickle!--and things baked on top and brown, and other things baked on the bottom and creamy white. And the fun, too, as each course appeared and disappeared only to be followed by something more extraordinary and seductive. The men continued to talk, and the girls never ceased laughing, and the grandmother's eyes constantly followed the Terrapin, giving him mysterious orders with the slightest raising of an eyelash, and we had already reached the salad--or was it the baked ham?--when the fairy in the pink waist next me clapped her hands and cried out:-- "Oh, you dear Judge! We waited an hour for you"--it doubtless seemed long to her. "What in the world kept you?" "Couldn't help it, little one," came a voice in reply; and a man with silver-white hair, dignified bearing, and a sunny smile on his face edged his way around the table to the grandmother, every hand held out to him as he passed, and, bending low over the dear lady, expressed his regrets at having been detained. Then with an extended hand to me and, "It gives me very great pleasure to see you in this part of the South, sir," he sat down in the vacant chair, nodding to everybody graciously as he spread his napkin. A moment later he leaned forward and said in explanation to the grandmother,-- "I waited for the jury to come in. You received my message, of course?" "Oh, yes, dear Judge; and although we missed you we sat down at once." "Have you been in court all day?" I asked as an introductory remark. Of course he had if he had waited for the jury. What an extraordinary collection of idiocies one could make if he jotted down all the stupid things said and heard when conversations were being opened. "Yes, I am sorry to say, trying one of those cases which are becoming daily more common." I looked up inquiringly. "Oh, a negro, of course," and the Judge picked up his fork and moved back the wine glass. "And such dreadful things happen, and such dreadful creatures are going about," said the grandmother, raising her hand deprecatingly.