"They should, they should! But what is the use of laws, when judges are not honest? When bailiffs can squeeze us, and tax-gatherers cheat us, without our daring to make a stir about it."
"But bailiffs and tax-gatherers have their superiors."
"Ay, but all are links of the same chain. All stand by each other. They dine at each other's tables, and make each other presents. The bailiff sends the best carriage-horses to the president's stables. The president is a good friend of the minister's. And the nobleman is hand and glove with all of them."
The woman rose from her seat. "It is breakfast-time, neighbour Littlejohn; come in. My husband will soon be back."
They walked toward the farm-house. They were but a few paces from the door, when two carriages drove into the yard, containing several persons. On the box of one sat two gendarmes, and upon the other were two officers of justice.
"There they are," exclaimed Littlejohn. "Keep up your heart, neighbour."
The woman's countenance worked convulsively for a moment, but she quickly composed herself, and taking little Margaret in her arms, she stood calm and silent before the door.
The gendarmes and officers got down from the box; the gentlemen alighted from the carriages. One of the latter, a short, corpulent person, approached the farmer's wife.
"I come upon a mournful errand, Mrs Oberhage!" said he in a tone of sympathy, disagreeable because it did not sound sincere.
"Our duty, Mrs Oberhage--believe me, it is often very painful; but so much so as on this occasion I never yet have known it to be."
"Believe me, this is an unhappy day for me."
"To us you have never yet brought happiness, judge," said the woman bitterly.
One of the other gentlemen now stepped forward. He was tall, thin, and pompous, and had two orders upon his breast. The judge had but one, in his button-hole.
"I think we will to business, _Herr Justizrath_," said he to the judge.
"Oh, gentlemen!" said the woman, still calm but earnest, "surely you will wait. My husband is not yet here, nor our lawyer. I expect them both immediately."
"What have we to do with either of them?" said the counsellor,[45] carelessly. "The matter is settled, and admits of no alteration."
"The matter is not yet settled. The day is not yet over!" quickly replied the woman.