“Say, Jinny, that boy’s as smart as a steel trap,” said the colonel delightedly. “If William had had half his gumption, he wouldn’t be in the fix he’s in now. You ought to see Dan get a jury. By gum, I had to laugh at the way he got Haskins on the hip every time. Got the indictment in the second degree, too, Jessup says.” “It would have been terrible to try that boy for murder in the first degree,” said Virginia. “Why, grandpa, I don’t believe Major Haskins would do it.” “Jinny, Haskins would indict his own grandmother for grand larceny if he thought it would get him a seat in the Legislature,” retorted the colonel with asperity. “I reckon I know Jim Haskins!” At which Virginia had to laugh; but she felt very little like laughing as the trial dragged on. She went over twice to carry flowers, and what comfort she could to Mrs. Carter and Emily. The last time she regretted it, for Mrs. Carter lost her head and sobbed on the young comforter’s shoulder. “Oh, Jinny, if William had only married you!” she gasped. Virginia went away with a red face. It seemed to her that the thing pursued her, whichever way she turned. The rest of that day she devoted to close attention to the household affairs. “I shan’t be home until late, Jinny,” her grandfather ’phoned her during the afternoon. “I reckon it’ll go to the jury to-day. Say, Jinny!” “Yes, grandpa, I’m listening.” “Mrs. William Carter’s going on the stand. Jinny, the court-room’s packed, just like sardines in a box. They’re sitting on the window-sills this minute. Don’t you wait dinner if I’m late.” Virginia hung up the receiver with a pale face. She had heard an account of William in the corridor from her grandfather, and she had divined how William felt. The old man’s robust anger against “that lummox” for spoiling his own life did not reach Virginia. She remembered William’s boyish figure trudging home from school with her books, William reading the “Iliad” with her, and William, when he told her that he loved her. It had all been a youthful affair. She knew that, so she told herself; but she could never quite forget it when she thought of him. She thought of it now, and tried in vain to picture him sitting there, helplessly, and hearing all the whispers and gossiping when his wife went on the stand to try to save his brother--for such a cause!