Mr. Craggs, sir,' said
Snitchey, shutting his eyes tight for an instant, and opening them
again, 'was struck off the roll of life too soon.'
'Heaven forgive me for not condoling with you,' returned Michael
Warden, passing his hand across his forehead, 'but I'm like a man
in a dream at present. I seem to want my wits. Mr. Craggs - yes -
I am very sorry we have lost Mr. Craggs.' But he looked at
Clemency as he said it, and seemed to sympathise with Ben,
consoling her.
'Mr. Craggs, sir,' observed Snitchey, 'didn't find life, I regret
to say, as easy to have and to hold as his theory made it out, or
he would have been among us now. It's a great loss to me. He was
my right arm, my right leg, my right ear, my right eye, was Mr.
Craggs. I am paralytic without him. He bequeathed his share of
the business to Mrs. Craggs, her executors, administrators, and
assigns. His name remains in the Firm to this hour. I try, in a
childish sort of a way, to make believe, sometimes, he's alive.
You may observe that I speak for Self and Craggs - deceased, sir -
deceased,' said the tender-hearted attorney, waving his pocket-
handkerchief.
Michael Warden, who had still been observant of Clemency, turned to
Mr. Snitchey when he ceased to speak, and whispered in his ear.
'Ah, poor thing!' said Snitchey, shaking his head.
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