it in one way or another. The fact is, we must do it.«
    »I cannot set myself right with it, Mr. Rugg, and have no business to expect
that I ever shall.«
    »Don't say that, sir, don't say that. The cost of being moved to the Bench
is almost insignificant, and if the general feeling is strong that you ought to
be there, why - really -«
    »I thought you had settled, Mr. Rugg,« said Arthur, »that my determination
to remain here was a matter of taste.«
    »Well, sir, well! But is it good taste, is it good taste? That's the
question.« Mr. Rugg was so soothingly persuasive, as to be quite pathetic. »I
was almost going to say, is it good feeling? This is an extensive affair of
yours; and your remaining here where a man can come for a pound or two, is
remarked upon, as not in keeping. It is not in keeping. I can't tell you, sir,
in how many quarters I heard it mentioned. I heard comments made upon it last
night, in a Parlour frequented by what I should call, if I did not look in there
now and then myself, the best legal company - I heard, there, comments on it
that I was sorry to hear. They hurt me, on your account. Again, only this
morning at breakfast. My daughter (but a woman, you'll say: yet still with a
feeling for these things, and even with some little personal experience, as the
plaintiff in Rugg and Bawkins) was expressing her great surprise; her great
surprise. Now under these circumstances, and considering that none of us can
quite set ourselves above public opinion, wouldn't a trifling concession to that
opinion be - Come, sir,« said Rugg, »I will put it on the lowest ground of
argument, and say, Amiable?«
    Arthur's thoughts had once more wandered away to Little Dorrit, and the
question remained unanswered.
    »As to myself, sir,« said Mr. Rugg, hoping that his eloquence had reduced
him to a state of indecision, »it is a principle of mine not to consider myself
when a client's inclinations are in the scale. But, knowing your considerate
character and general wish to oblige, I will repeat that I should prefer your
being in the Bench. Your case has made a noise; it is a creditable case to