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Chapter 25. The Chief Butler Resigns the Seals of Office

           

           MrMerdle’sdefaultleftaBanquo’schairatthetable;but,ifhehadbeenthere,hewouldhavemerelymadethedifferenceofBanquoinit,andconsequentlyhewasnoloss.Bar,whopickedupallsortsofoddsandendsaboutWestminsterHall,muchasaravenwouldhavedoneifhehadpassedasmuchofhistimethere,hadbeenpickingupagreatmanystrawslatelyandtossingthemabout,totrywhichwaytheMerdlewindblew.HenowhadalittletalkonthesubjectwithMrsMerdleherself;sidlinguptothatlady,ofcourse,withhisdoubleeye-glassandhisjurydroop.

           ‘Acertainbird,’saidBar;andhelookedasifitcouldhavebeennootherbirdthanamagpie;‘hasbeenwhisperingamonguslawyerslately,thatthereistobeanadditiontothetitledpersonagesofthisrealm.’

           ‘Really?’saidMrsMerdle.

           ‘Yes,’saidBar.‘Hasnotthebirdbeenwhisperinginverydifferentearsfromours—inlovelyears?’HelookedexpressivelyatMrsMerdle’snearestear-ring.

           ‘Doyoumeanmine?’askedMrsMerdle.

           ‘WhenIsaylovely,’saidBar,‘Ialwaysmeanyou.’

           ‘Younevermeananything,Ithink,’returnedMrsMerdle(notdispleased).

           ‘Oh,cruellyunjust!’saidBar.‘But,thebird.’

           ‘Iamthelastpersonintheworldtohearnews,’observedMrsMerdle,carelesslyarrangingherstronghold.‘Whoisit?’

           ‘Whatanadmirablewitnessyouwouldmake!’saidBar.‘Nojury(unlesswecouldempaneloneofblindmen)couldresistyou,ifyouwereeversobadaone;butyouwouldbesuchagoodone!’

           ‘Why,youridiculousman?’askedMrsMerdle,laughing.

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