I didn't mean to be. I have the
highest possible regard for all judges, and what I said just now about
legal fictions was simply meant to avoid prolonging a discussion which
can't have been pleasant for you. And after all, you know, it was
rather absurd your trying to come the judge over me, considering what
we were talking about. You wouldn't have done it, I'm sure, if you'd
stopped for a moment to consider the peculiar and rather delicate
circumstances under which we are carrying on this negotiation. I
expect the habit of talking in that judicial way was too strong for
you. You forgot for the moment what it was we were speaking about, and
thought it was some ordinary law case. The force of habit is a
wonderful thing. Have you ever noticed--"
"So far as I have been able to discover up to the present," said the
judge, "you are greatly interested in bringing about a marriage between
your friend and my niece."
"Interested is a dubious sort of word to use, and I don't like it. Let
us be quite clear about what we mean. In one sense I am interested; in
another sense I am entirely disinterested--which is the exact opposite.
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