"A fee must be marked upon the brief of learned counsel, and that fee be paid to him, together with many other smaller fees; for learned counsel is like the cigarette-boxes and new-fashioned weighing-machines at the stations: he does not work unless you drop something down him.

But there is nothing to prevent learned counsel from returning that fee, and all the little fees.

Indeed, James, you will see that this practice is common amongst the most eminent of your profession, when, for instance, they require an advertisement or wish to pay a delicate compliment to a constituency.

What do they do then?
They wait till they find L500 marked upon a brief, and then resign their fee.

Why should you not do the same in this case, in your own interest?
Of course, if we win the cause, the other side or the estate will pay the costs; and if we lose, you will at least have had the advantage, the priceless advantage, of a unique advertisement." "Very well, John; let it be so," said James, with magnanimity.