“De Lawd, Marse John, hit wuz his speret, des lak I tell ye. He didn’t look crazy no mo’n you is. He look des lak he look in de ole days when we wuz all rich an’ proud and happy. He wuz laughin’ an’ talkin’ low like to my Missy an’ she wuz laughin’ an talkin’ back at ‘im. I seed ‘em bof wid my own eyes des ez plain ez I see you now, chile.” “You thought you did, anyway.” “Cose I did, honey. De doors is all locked an’ bolted wid new iron bolts--nuttin but sperets kin get in dis house atter dark--de Jedge he sees ‘em too--des ez plain ez I did.” “And this coward is set to rule a downtrodden people,” John muttered fiercely under his breath. “Yes it’s easy, he’ll do what I tell him to-night, or--I’ll--use--the--power I wield--to--execute--the judgment--of--a--just--God.” “What you say, honey?” Aunt Julie Ann asked. “Nothing.” “Dar’s de Jedge commin’ now,” she whispered, hastily leaving. John kept his seat in sullen silence until the shuffling footsteps of his enemy had descended the stairs and crossed half the space of the hall. The younger man rose and gazed at him a moment, his eyes flashing with hatred he could no longer mask. The Judge halted, moved his feet nervously and fumbled at the big gold watch-chain he wore across his ponderous waist. His shifting bead eyes sought the floor, and then he suddenly lifted his drooping head like a turtle, approached John in a fawning, creeping, half-walk, half-shuffle, and extended his hand. “I bid you welcome, young man, to the old home of your ancestors. In fact, I’m delighted to see you. I heard to-day that you would probably call this evening, and had the servants illuminate every room in your honour.” “Indeed!” John sneered. “Yes, I’ve wished for some time that I might have such an opportunity to talk things over with you.” John had turned from the proffered hand and seated himself with deliberate insolence. “Thanks for the illuminations in honour of my family!” The sneer with which he spoke was not lost on the Judge. His patronising judicial air, so newly acquired, wavered before the cold threat of the younger man’s manner. Yet he recovered himself sufficiently to say: “My boy, I like your high spirit, but I _must_ give you a little fatherly advice.” “Seeing that my own father at present cannot do so.” The Judge ignored the interruption and seated himself with an attempt at dignity. “Mr. Graham, you must recognise the authority of the United States Government.” “Which means you?” “I was compelled to make an example of disloyalty.” “You disbarred me from personal malice.” “For your treasonable utterances.” “I have the right to criticise your degradation of the judiciary in using it to further your political ambitions.” “I disbarred you for treason and contempt of court.” John rose and stood glaring at the judge whose shifting eyes avoided him.