ong and the short of it, Mr. Robarts."

"I suppose so. And now what had he better do?"

"Well; if you ask me,-- He is in very bad health, isn't he?"

"No; I should say not. He walked to Barchester and back the other
day."

"Did he? But he's very queer, isn't he?"

"Very odd-mannered indeed."

"And does and says all manner of odd things?"

"I think you'd find the bishop would say so after that interview."

"Well; if it would do any good, you might have the bishop examined."

"Examined for what, Mr. Walker?"

"If you could show, you know, that Crawley has got a bee in his
bonnet; that the mens sana is not there, in short;--I think you might
manage to have the trial postponed."

"But then somebody must take charge of his living."

"You parsons could manage that among you;--you and the dean and the
archdeacon. The archdeacon has always got half-a-dozen curates about
somewhere. And then,--after the assizes, Mr. Crawley might come to his
senses; and I think,--mind you it's only an idea,--but I think the
committal might be quashed. It would have been temporary insanity,
and, though mind I don't give my word for it, I think he might go on
and keep his living. I think so, Mr. Robarts."

"That has never occurred to me."

"No;--I daresay not. You see the difficulty is this. He's so
stiff-necked,--will do nothing himself. Well, that will do for one
proof of temporary insanity. The real truth is, Mr. Robarts, he is as
mad as a hatter."

"Upon my word I've often thought so."

"And you wouldn't mind saying so in evidence,--would you? Well, you
see, there is no helping such a man in any other way. He won't even
employ a lawyer to defend him."

"That was what I had come to you about."

"I'm told he won't. Now a man must be mad who won't employ a lawyer
when he wants one. You see, the point we should gain would be
this,--if we tried to get him through as being a little touched in
the upper storey,--whatever we could do for him, we could do against
his own will. The more he opposed us the stronger our case would be.
He would swear he was not mad at all, and we should say that that was
the greatest sign of his madness. But when I say we, of course I mean
you. I must not appear in it."

"I wish you could, Mr. Walker."

"Of course I can't; but that won't make any difference."

"I suppose he must have a lawyer?"

"Yes, he must have a lawyer;--or rather, his friends must."

"And who should employ him, ostensibly?"