now you have been explicit with a vengeance, and you may
heave a-head. Let's hear the story, and if I can help you I will.
When I've said that, you may be sure I mean it. I've heard something
of it before; but let me hear it all from you."

Then Mr. Crawley began and told the story. Mr. Toogood was actually
true to his promise and let the narrator go on with his narrative
without interruption. When Mr. Crawley came to his own statement that
the cheque had been paid to him by Mr. Soames, and went on to say that
that statement had been false,--"I told him that, but I told him so
wrongly," and then paused, thinking that the lawyer would ask some
question, Mr. Toogood simply said, "Go on; go on. I'll come back to
all that when you've done." And he merely nodded his head when Mr
Crawley spoke of his second statement, that the money had come
from the dean. "We had been bound together by close ties of early
familiarity," said Mr. Crawley, "and in former years our estates in
life were the same. But he has prospered and I have failed. And when
creditors were importunate, I consented to accept relief in money
which had previously been often offered. And I must acknowledge,
Mr. Toogood, while saying this, that I have known,--have known with
heartfelt agony,--that at former times my wife has taken that from
my friend Mr. Arabin, with hand half-hidden from me, which I have
refused. Whether it be better to eat--the bread of charity,--or not
to eat bread at all, I, for myself, have no doubt," he said; "but
when the want strikes one's wife and children, and the charity
strikes only oneself, then there is a doubt." When he spoke thus, Mr
Toogood got up, and thrusting his hands into his waistcoat pockets
walked about the room, exclaiming, "By George, by George, by George!"
But he still let the man go on with his story, and heard him out at
last to the end.

"And they committed you for trial at the next Barchester assizes?"
said the lawyer.

"They did."

"And you employed no lawyer before the magistrates?"

"None;--I refused to employ any one."

"You were wrong there, Mr. Crawley. I must be allowed to say that you
were wrong there."

"I may possibly have been so from your point of view, Mr. Toogood; but
permit me to explain. I--"

"It's no good explaining now. Of course you must employ a lawyer for
your defence,--an attorney who will put the case into the hands of
counsel."

"But that I cannot do, Mr. Toogood."

"You must d