It was not so long ago, in a police court in Melbourne, that a Chinaman was summoned for being in possession of a tenement unfit for human habitation.

The case was clearly proved, and he was fined _L1_.

But in no way could John be made to understand that a fine had been inflicted.

He sat there with unmoved stolidity, and all that the court could extract from him was: "My no savvy, no savvy." After saying this in a voice devoid of all hope, he sank again into silence.
Here rose a well-known lawyer.

"With your worship's permission, I think I can make the Chinaman understand," he said.