" The situation became desperate for Mr. Bingle when his wife
took her extraordinary stand, and not before. He wilted like a faded
flower in the face of this blighting calamity.
On the morning of the sixth of July, a pompous old gentleman rang the
front doorbell at Seawood, and inquired for Mr. Bingle. He turned out
to be the principal lawyer employed by Joseph Hooper's son and
daughters in their fight for the Grimwell millions--a Mr. Hoskins by
name. He might have been designated as General Hoskins, as a matter of
fact, for he was in actual command of a small army of lawyers, now
victorious after a long and bitter warfare.
"I am authorised by my clients, Mr. Bingle," said he, "to extend to
you the customary amenities in such cases, wherein a contest ends so
disastrously for one party or the other. We are not unmindful of the
teachings of 'The Christmas Carol.' Indeed, we have all read it with
great interest. Joseph Hooper's recommendations to his children in
regard to you--"
"Just a moment, please," interrupted Mr. Bingle.
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