Brothers In Law by Henry Cecil Read Free Book Online

couldn’t expect very much to begin with. I expect you’ll say more tomorrow.’
    â€˜Joy’s coming round for a drink. You don’t mind?’
    â€˜Of course not. I think she’s a sweet girl. It makes me look thinner, doesn’t it?’
    At last Joy arrived and Roger was able to tell someone all about his first day.
    â€˜I think you’re wonderful,’ said Joy. ‘I should love to come and hear you. When can I?’
    â€˜Well, of course, I don’t know exactly when I shall be speaking again.’
    â€˜Was it a murder case?’
    â€˜Well – no, as a matter of fact.’
    â€˜Breach of promise?’
    â€˜As a matter of fact, it was a building dispute.’
    â€˜It sounds terribly dull. Weren’t you bored?’
    The one thing Roger had not been was bored.
    â€˜You see, things which don’t sound of interest to the layman are very interesting to lawyers.’
    â€˜I don’t think I should terribly care to hear a building dispute. All about houses and things. Still, I suppose you have to start somewhere. Must take time to work up to a murder case.’
    â€˜Joy, dear, you don’t work up to a murder case.’
    â€˜But surely, Roger, you’re wrong. I’ve always understood you start with silly things like debt collecting and business cases, like your building dispute, I suppose, and eventually work your way into real cases like murder and blackmail and divorce and so on. Anyway, what did you say? Did you make the jury cry? It must have been very clever of you if you did with a building dispute. But then you are so clever, Roger, that I wouldn’t put it past you.’
    â€˜They don’t have juries with Official Referees.’
    â€˜Sounds like football.’
    â€˜Well, it isn’t. An Official Referee is a judge. You call him “Your Honour”. He’s very important. This one was called Sir Hugo Cramp.’
    â€˜Well, what did you say to him?’
    â€˜Well, among other things – I quoted a legal maxim to him. He thanked me very much.’
    â€˜Did it win you your case?’
    â€˜Well, it wasn’t exactly my case.’ He paused for a moment. Then very seriously he said: ‘Joy, d’you think I’ll ever be any good? I was terribly frightened.’
    â€˜You frightened? I can’t believe it. You’re pulling my leg.’
    â€˜I’m not. Really, Joy, I’m not.’
    â€˜What’s frightening about it? You just get up and say what you want and then sit down.’
    â€˜And suppose you don’t know what to say?’
    â€˜Then don’t get up.’
    â€˜But I had to.’
    â€˜But I don’t see why. It’s a free country. Anyway, next time make certain what you want to say, get up and say it and sit down.’
    â€˜You make it sound very simple.’
    â€˜Well, Uncle Alfred’s a solicitor. Which reminds me – I suppose he might send you a brief one day. Would you like that, Roger?’
    â€˜Oh, Joy, it would be wonderful.’
    â€˜What would you do if I get Uncle Alfred to send you a brief?’
    â€˜What would you like me to do?’
    â€˜There’s something I’d like you not to do.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜Not see Sally.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Roger, unhappily. ‘D’you think that’s quite fair?’
    â€˜It’s just as you like. I’m sure Uncle Alfred has got lots of young men to send briefs to. He’ll bear up.’
    â€˜But, Joy dear, it’s so difficult. And it wouldn’t be fair to Sally.’
    â€˜That’s right, dear – always the little unselfish one, thinking of other people. You’re too good for this world.’
    â€˜Who are you going out with, anyway?’
    â€˜A friend of mine.’
    â€˜So I gathered. Do I know him?’
    â€˜Who said it was a him?’
    â€˜I did. Who is it?’
    â€˜D’you want to know all