Mahaffy grinned at this and hurried home.

He could believe all but the last, that was the crowning touch of unreality.
The judge explained the situation.
"I wouldn't withhold hope from any man, Solomon; it's the cheapest thing in the world and the one thing we are most miserly about extending to our fellows.

These people all feel better--and what did it cost me ?--just a little decent consideration; just the knowledge of what the unavoidable associations of ideas in their own minds would do for them!" What had seemed the corpse of credit breathed again, and the judge and Mahaffy immediately embarked upon a characteristic celebration.

Early candlelight found them making a beginning; midnight came--the gray and purple of dawn--and they were still at it, back of closed doors and shuttered windows..