And even in his perturbation he saw at once that it would never do to have a backwoods jury look upon the fascinating countenance of this young plaintiff.
"Alida," he said sorrowfully, "I am beginning to see things in a clearer light." "I think that light will grow very much clearer, Mr.Portlaw." He repressed a shudder, and tried to look reproachful, but she seemed to be very hard-hearted, for she turned once more to her hammering.
"Alida!" "What ?"--continuing to drive tacks.
"After all these years of friendship it--it is perfectly painful for me to contemplate a possible lawsuit--" "It will be more painful to contemplate an actual one, Mr.Portlaw." "Alida, do you really mean that you--my neighbour and friend--are going to press this unnatural complaint ?" "I certainly do." Portlaw shook his head violently, and passed his gloved hand over his eyes as though to rouse himself from a distressing dream; all of which expressive pantomime was lost on Mrs.Ascott, who was busy driving tacks.
"I simply cannot credit my senses," he said mournfully.
"You ought to try; it will be still more difficult later," she observed, backing her horse so that she might inspect her handiwork from the proper point of view.
Portlaw looked askance at the sign.

It warned people not to shoot, fish, cut trees, dam streams, or build fires under penalty of the law; and was signed, "Alida Ascott." "You didn't have any up before, did you ?" he asked innocently.
"By advice of counsel I think I had better not reply, Mr.Portlaw.But I believe that point will be brought out by my lawyers--unless"-- with a brilliant smile--"your own counsel sees fit to discuss it." Portlaw was convinced that his hair was stirring under his cap.

He was horribly afraid of the law.
"See here, Alida," he said, assuming the bluff rough-diamond front which the alarm in his eyes made foolish, "I want to settle this little difference and be friends with you again.

I was wrong; I admit it....

Of course I might very easily defend such a suit--" "But, of course"-- serenely undeceived--"as you admit you are in the wrong you will scarcely venture to defend such a suit.