THE WASPS. . 103

in solitude! He then proceeded to say that Pincher
was a hard-working animal, that lived on odds and
ends, bones, gristle, anything, in short, that he could
get, while Cur was a mere stay-at-home, always ask-
ing for a share of what was brought in, and biting
if he did not get it. The next thing, following the
regular course of proceeding, was to excite the com-
passion of the court. With this object, a litter of
puppies was brought in, and made to whimper for
. mercy for their father.

Phil. “You can step down; I am satisfied.”

Bdel. “Step down I will; though I don’t quite
trust you. I have known many men taken in before
this.? Well, father, will he Be off?”

Phtl, “Tis hard to say.”

Bdel. “My dear father, I do beseech you to take
the merciful side. Here is the voting pebble. Pray
drop it in the ‘Not guilty’ urn. It is that far one,
you know. Shut your eyes while you are passing
the other.”’

_ Phil. “No, no, my boy; you see I havé not been
educated.” 8
Bdel. “ Let me lead you, sir.”

1 This, of course, is a reference to the Sicilian affair. The pay-
master of the expedition had been called, and had testified to. the
proper distribution of the funds.

? Meaning that accused persons were often deceived by an apparent
softening in the demeanour of the judges.

3 He retorts on his son the argument which had been used in de-
fence of Pincher.