"I am not
forgotten--no, damn it--no!" he exulted under his breath,
"recalls me with sincere esteem and considers my services to the
country as well worthy of recognition--" the judge breathed deep.
What would Mahaffy find to say now! Certainly this was well
calculated to disturb the sour cynicism of his friend. His
bleared eyes brimmed. After all his groping he had touched hands
with the realities at last! Even a federal judgeship, though not
an office of the first repute in the south. had its dignity--it
signified something! He would make Solomon his clerk! The judge
reached for his hat. Mahaffy must know at once that fortune had
mended for them. Why, at that moment he was actually in receipt
of an income!
He sat down, the better to enjoy the unique sensation. Taxes
were being levied and collected with no other end in view than
his stipend--his ardent fancy saw the whole machinery of
government in operation for his benefit. It was a singular
feeling he experienced. Then promptly his spendthrift brain
became active. He needed clothes--so did Mahaffy--so did his
grandson; they must take a larger house; he would buy himself a
man servant; these were pressing necessities as he now viewed
them.
Once again he reached for his hat, the desire to rush off to
Belle Plain was overmastering.
"I reckon I'd be justified in hiring a conveyance from Pegloe,"
he thought, but just here he had a saving memory of his
unfinished task; that claimed precedence and he resumed his pen.
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