Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

That morning Judge John Prose stood at the window while his maid walked up and down the room.It is safe to say that he did not mind much whether the bolide passed over Weston or not.However, although he had nothing on his mind, he scanned the Constitution Square with his eyes.It was from this square that the gate of his quiet house opened.But what Mr. Prows was indifferent to was not trivial in Kate's mind. "So, sir, it will be gold?" she asked, stopping before her master. "It looks gold," replied the judge. "You seem indifferent, sir." "As you can see, Kate."

"But if it's gold, it's worth millions! . . . " "It's worth millions, it's worth billions, Kate . "They're going to fall, sir!" "It is said so, Kate." "Sir, think about it, there will be no more miserable people on this earth!" "There will still be as many, Kate." "But, sir..." "It would take a lot of explaining... First of all, Kate, what do you think a billion is?" "A billion, sir, is... this is..." "It's a thousand million." "So many!" "Yes, Kate, even if you live to be a hundred years old, you won't have time to count billions, even if you spend ten hours a day."

"There is such a thing, sir! . . . " "There is absolutely no doubt." The maid couldn't help being dumbfounded when she thought that there would be more than one billion in a hundred years! ... Then she took up her broom and feather duster, and went back to work.She paused every minute, though, and seemed lost in thought. "How much does each one get, sir?" "What, Kate?" "Bolide, sir, if it were divided equally among all?" "It must be settled, Kate," replied Mr. John Prose.The judge took paper and pencil.While calculating, he said: "There are 1.5 billion inhabitants on the earth, and each person will be allocated 3,859 francs and 20 centimes."

"Can't get any more?..." Kate muttered in disappointment. "No more," assured Mr. John Prowse, while Kate was looking dreamily at the sky. As her thoughts returned to the earth, she caught a glimpse of two figures at the intersection of Monkster Street, to whom she directed her master's attention. "You see, sir..." she said, "there are two ladies waiting." "Yes, Kate, I saw it." "Look at one of them... that tall... that woman stomping her feet in a hurry." "She was stomping, Kate. But I don't know who the lady is." "Well, sir, she's the lady who came here two months ago and got married on horseback in front of us."

"Miss Arcadia Walker?" asked Mr. John Prose. "Mrs. Stanford now." "It really is her." The judge recognized it. "What is this lady doing here?" "I don't know at all," replied Mr. Prowse, "and besides, I don't want to spend half a day looking for such things." "Will she need our help again?" "That's unlikely. Bigamy is not allowed on American soil," said the judge, closing the window. "And anyway, I shouldn't forget that it's time to go to court. There's going to be a big lawsuit in court today. It just happens to be related to that fireball that you have been obsessed with. Therefore, if this lady comes to my house, you will express my apologies to her."

Mr. John Prowse got ready to go out while he was talking.With a deliberate step he descended the stairs, exited the little door that opened onto the Potomac, and disappeared into the courthouse.The courthouse stood majestically opposite his house, across the street. The maid was right: it was Mrs. Arcadia Stanford.She came to Weston this morning with her maid, Bertha.As they paced impatiently to and fro, the two of them cast their eyes over the long ramp of the Exeter Road. The town hall clock struck ten. "He's not there yet!" exclaimed Mrs. Stamford. "Maybe he forgot the date?" Bertha enlightened.

"Forget!..." The young woman repeated in an angry voice. "Unless he's thinking about it," Bertha went on. "Consider! . . . " repeated her mistress, with yet more indignation. She took a few steps toward the Rue Exeter, followed closely by the maid. "Didn't you see him?" she asked after a few minutes, impatiently. "No, ma'am." "It's outrageous!" Mrs. Stamford was back across the square. "No... not a soul yet!... not a soul! . . . " she repeated. "Tell me to wait...after we make an appointment!...today is May 18th!"

"Yes, ma'am." "It's almost half past ten?" "Ten minutes more." "Well! He doesn't think I'll be impatient! . . . I'll stay here all day, longer if necessary!" Those who run hotels in Syntagma Square will see this young woman walking up and down, which is very similar to the scene two months ago, when they saw a knight anxiously waiting for her, and then took her away. to the judge.Now, no matter men, women or children, what everyone thinks is completely different... In the whole Weston, except for Mrs. Stamford, everyone has focused on that magical shooting star, and all they care about is what the shooting star is. The sky is passing, a certain day of the month-although the days vary greatly! ——The two astronomers in this city announced that the meteor has fallen, etc.The presence of Mrs. Arcadia Stanford was hardly thought of by the crowd gathered in Syntagma Square and by the servants standing in front of the hotel.We do not know whether the moon has any effect on the human brain--whether it can make people capricious, as folk believe.But in any case, what is certain is that there were surprisingly many "shooting stars" on our earth at that time.And when these people thought that a planet worth billions of dollars was hovering above their heads, and it would be smashed to the ground within a few days, they all forgot to eat or sleep. Mrs. Stanford obviously had something else on her mind.

"Didn't you see him, Bertha?" she repeated after waiting a moment. "No, ma'am." Just then, there was a shout at the end of the square.Pedestrians flocked there.Hundreds of people came from the nearby streets and alleys, and they immediately became a sea of ​​people.At the same time, the windows of those hotels were crowded with onlookers. "There! . . . there! . . . " The word flitted from mouth to mouth, and it fell right into Mrs. Arcadia Stanford's arms.She couldn't help shouting: "It's finally here!..." As if someone said it to her.

"No, ma'am," her maid must have told her, "that was not addressed to you." And if it was true, why did they cheer so much for the man Mrs. Arcadia Stanford was waiting for?Why notice his coming? What's more, there are tens of thousands of heads moving, all looking up to the sky, all arms stretched out long, and all eyes are shot at the northern horizon.Did that croaking bolide make an appearance over the city?Did the residents gather in the square just to welcome this transiting meteor? No.At the moment it is flying across the sky on the other side of the earth.Besides, even if it crosses the sky above the horizon, it cannot be seen with the naked eye in broad daylight.

So, who are you cheering on? "Ma'am . . . that's a balloon!" said Bertha. "Look! . . . it's rising over the steeple of St. Andrew's Church." The balloon descended slowly from the top of the atmosphere, and it really appeared in front of everyone's eyes, which won unanimous applause.Why cheer?Does the ascent of a balloon arouse a special interest?Is there any reason why the public applauds it so much? Yes, there is indeed a reason. The balloon had risen from a neighboring city the night before, carrying Walter Flagg, a well-known aviation pilot, with an assistant.The purpose of going to heaven this time is nothing else, but to try to observe bolides under more favorable conditions.Everyone can't wait to see how this initiative turns out, and that's why there's so much enthusiasm. Needless to say, when the matter of the balloon ascension was certain, Mr. Dean Forsyth had requested "ascension,"--as the French usually say--to the consternation of old Mitz.Needless to say, Mr. Dean Forsyth found that across from him, Mr. Hudson had a similar ambition, and Mrs. Hudson's panic was no less than that of Mitz.But airline pilots can only take one passenger, and the situation is obviously tricky.Therefore, between the two opponents, there was a battle of letters, and the defense was made in the same capacity.In the end, it was the snipe and the clam fighting each other, the fisherman benefited, and both sides were rejected.Walter Flagg recommended a third person to be his assistant, and he insisted that he could not do without him. At this time, a gust of wind sent the balloon over Weston, and the people of the city planned to give the astronaut a grand reception. The breeze came slowly, blowing the balloon infinitely and gently, making it continue to descend calmly, unbiased, and landed exactly in the center of Constitution Square.Immediately a hundred arms seized the basket of the balloon, and Walter Flagg and his assistants sprang to the ground. The latter left his chief to take care of the troublesome work of venting, while he himself hurried to Mrs. Arcadia Stanford, who was waiting impatiently. When he approached her: "Here I am, ma'am," he said with a bow. "It's ten-thirty-five," Mrs. Arcadia confirmed in a cold tone, pointing to the city hall clock. "I know, our appointment is at ten-thirty," said the newcomer respectfully and apologetically. "I beg your pardon, for the balloon will not always be as obedient and as punctual as we hope." "Am I wrong then? Was it you that was in the balloon with Walter?" "it is me." "Can you explain it to me?" "It couldn't have been easier. I thought it was a fancy way to go to our date, that's all. So for a few dollars, I bought a seat in a gondola. Walter Flagg Promise to drop me here at half-past ten. Five minutes, I suppose, is excusable." "Excuse," relented Mrs. Arcadia Stanford, "I suppose since you Come, your original intention has not changed!" "Nothing has changed." "You always thought it was a wise move for us to end our life together." "That's my opinion." "My opinion is that we are not made for each other." "I think exactly as you do." "Of course, Mr. Stanford, I am far from underestimating your character..." "I have a proper evaluation of your character." "People often respect each other, but they don't love each other. Respect is not the same as love. If two personalities are incompatible, respect alone will not work." "That's really good advice." "Obviously, if we've ever been in love! . . . " "Then it's another matter." "But we are not in love." "It's absolutely true." "We didn't know each other very well, we got married, and we were each other's disappointment. . . Oh! If only we'd been of any help to each other, it might not have happened." "It's not like that. You don't have to." Sacrifice your fortune to save me from bankruptcy." "I'll do it, Mr. Stanford. You don't have to risk your life to save mine, for your part." "I will not hesitate, Mrs. Arcadia." "I believe it will be like this, but I have never encountered such an opportunity. We were no different from strangers before, and we are still strangers now." "It's a pathetic statement that's very apt." "We thought we were congenial. At least in terms of travel..." "But we can never agree on where to go!" "It's true, I'm going south, you're going north. " "And I'm going west, you want to go east!" "Getting out of hand on the bolide event." "It's out of control." "Because you have always been determined to side with Mr. Dean Forsyth, have you not?" "It is indeed determined." "And you're determined to go to Japan to watch the meteor fall?" "indeed so." "Because of me, though, I'm sticking to Sidney Hudson's opinion..." "And determined to go to Patagonia..." "There's no room for compromise." "There is no room for reconciliation." "Then we have but one thing to do." "One piece!" "Just to see the judge, sir." "I'll go with you, ma'am." The two, one after the other, walked three steps apart in a straight line towards Mr. Prose's house, followed by the maid Bertha.She kept a distance from them out of courtesy. Old Kate was standing at the door now. "Is Mr. Prose home?" asked Mr. and Mrs. Stanford at the same time. "Not at home," Kate replied. The faces of the two persons awaiting judgment are also elongated. "How long will it be?" asked Mrs. Stanford. "Before lunch," Kate said. "Did he eat lunch?" "Eat at one o'clock." "Then we'll come back at one o'clock." Mr. and Mrs. Stanford said in unison and walked away.They stopped in the middle of the square.There, it has been blocked by Walter Flagg's balloon. "We'll be waiting two hours for nothing," said Mrs. Arcadia Stanford. "Two hours and a quarter of an hour," said Mr. Seth Stanford precisely. "Would you like to spend two hours with me?" "If it is kindly agreed." "How would you like a walk along the Potomac?" "I was just about to make this suggestion to you." The couple started to walk in the direction of Exeter Road, and stopped after only three steps. "Will you allow me to comment?" asked Mr. Stanford. "Yes," Mrs. Stanford replied. "Then I want to prove this: we agree. For the first time, Mrs. Arcadia!" "This is also the last time!" She retorted and raised her steps. To get to Exeter Road, Mr. and Mrs. Stamford had to cut their way through the growing crowd that surrounded the balloon.If the crowd is not too dense, if not all the residents of Weston are gathered in Syntagma Square, it is because at this moment there is another event that is more sensational and fascinating, which has aroused people's extreme anxiety. keen interest.As soon as the dawn broke, the crowd poured out of the city and came to the court, and the "long snake array" in front of the court quickly extended.As soon as the gates were opened, everyone rushed in, filling the courtroom in a blink of an eye, almost exploding.Those who couldn't get a foothold had to back out, and it was the unlucky or latecomers who were there to watch Walter Flagg land and make up for it. How they wished to fill the courtroom with the privileged, for at this very moment the greatest lawsuit the judges ever saw and ever saw was being fought in it! Of course, when the Paris Observatory announced that the bolide (or at least its core) was a blob of pure gold, the frenzy of the crowd reached its peak.However, when Mr. Dean Forsyth and Mr. Sidney Huddleson asserted with absolute certainty that the asteroid would fall, there was perhaps no greater frenzy than anywhere else in the world.There were so many cases of insanity that within a few days, not a single insane asylum was too small. But of all these lunatics, the craziest was of course the one who set off this earth-shattering passion. Neither Mr. Dean Forsyth nor Dr. Hudson had, thus far, expected such a thing to happen.If they had been eager to compete for the priority of discovering the bolide, it was not because of its value, because it was worth billions--no one would have a share--but because of an effort to put Forsyth and another to link Huddleson's name to major events in astronomy. The situation changed entirely when they discovered a sudden disturbance in the course of the meteor during the night of May 11-12.A very urgent question immediately came to their minds. Who will own the bolide after it falls?The bolide's core is surrounded by a halo of light, shining brilliantly. Who will own this core worth hundreds of millions of gold?After the halo is gone—and, besides, the elusive light is useless—the core will still exist.People will have no trouble turning it into a respectable, standard gold dollar! ... To whom will they belong? "To me!" cried Mr. Dean Forsyth without hesitation. "To me! I was the first to point out that it appeared in the sky at Weston!" "To me!" Dr. Hudson shouted with equal confidence: "Because I am its discoverer!" These two fanatics could not do without the newspapers to publicize these conflicting and irreconcilable demands.For two days, the pages of Weston's paper were filled with the angry articles of the two opponents.They poured all kinds of unpleasant adjectives about the elusive shooting star over and over each other.But the bolide seemed to be laughing at them at an altitude of four hundred miles. It is not difficult to understand that, under the circumstances, there could be no talk of a proposed wedding at all.So the fifteenth of May passed, and Francis and Jenny were still fiancée. But does their claim to be a fiancé couple stand up?Mr. Dean Forsyth's nephew made a last attempt at Mr. Forsyth's presence, but Mr. Forsyth answered him with a deadpan: "I think the doctor is a scoundrel, and I would never consent to your marriage to such a Huddleson's daughter." And at about the same time, the above-mentioned Dr. Hudson was yelling, in the appropriate words, interrupting his daughter's laments: "Francis's uncle is a villain, and my daughter will never marry such a nephew of Forsyth." These categorical words make people have to bow their heads. Walter Flagg's ascension in a balloon provided yet another opportunity for these rival astronomers to vent their personal grievances.A scandal-loving newspaper hastened to publish their letter, and the language used by both parties was unheard of.Everyone will admit that this is not an attempt to reverse the situation. However, scolding will not solve the problem.When people can't live in harmony, they can only go to court as usual.This is the best and only way to settle disputes. The two bitter rivals finally agreed to do the same. Mr. Dean Forsyth informed Dr. Hudson on May 18th to appear before the court of the venerable Mr. John Prowse the next day; Mr. Seth.Thus, the tumultuous and rowdy crowd on the morning of May 18 finally invaded the court reception room. Mr. Dean Forsyth and Mr. Sidney Hudson are there.Both parties were summoned before a judge and stood face to face. Just now, at the beginning of the court session, several cases have been concluded in a hurry.Will the two enemies who are about to come to him be the same? "Next case," he ordered. "Forsyth sues Hudson, Hudson sues Forsyth," the court clerk called. "Come closer, you two," said the judge, straightening himself up in the easy chair. Mr. Dean Forsyth and Dr. Hudson stepped forward, stepping out from the throngs of their supporters.They stood there, close to each other, staring at each other, fists clenched, like two loaded cannons whose sparks would cause a double explosion. "What's the matter, gentlemen?" asked the judge, who knew exactly what was going on. Mr. Dean Forsyth spoke first. "I'm here to assert my rights..." "I stand for my rights," Mr. Hudson interrupted quickly. So he went straight to the point and started a deafening duet.In this duet, neither thirds nor sixths are sung, but in violation of the whole set of rules of harmony, there is a succession of dissonant tones. Mr. Prowth tapped his desk sharply with an ivory knife, as if a conductor were trying to stop a discordant dissonance. "Sir," said he, "you must speak one after the other! I will let Mr. Forsyth speak first in alphabetical order, and Mr. Hudson will answer calmly." So Mr. Dean Forsyth came to make his statement, while the Doctor restrained himself as much as possible.Mr. Forsyth talked about how he observed meteors passing across the sky from north to south from the round tower on Elizabeth Road at 7:37:20 on March 16, and how he observed meteors during the time when the meteors were visible. He kept staring at it, and, after a few days, finally sent a letter to the Pittsburgh Observatory calling attention to his discovery and asking for confirmation as the first meteor discoverer. When it was Dr. Hudson's turn to speak, he must have made the same statement.After each side made its case, the court presumably didn't know any more than it had before. It appeared, however, that the case was clear enough, since Mr. Prowse did not ask for any further clarification.He made a rather conspicuous gesture, merely for silence, and when the silence had subsided, he read the sentence which he had drawn up while the two opponents were speaking. Its judgment reads as follows: "Whereas Mr. Dean Forsyth claims to have spotted a bolide passing through the atmosphere over Weston at 7:37:20 A.M. on March 16; "Given that Dr. Sidney Hudson discovered the same bolide at the same hour, same minute, and same second..." "Yes! Yes!" shouted the Doctor's supporters, pumping their fists in the air frantically. "No! No!" Mr. Forsyth's supporters retorted, stomping the floor. "However, this prosecution is based on the issue of minutes and seconds, and is purely scientific; "Because there is no special provision in law applicable to the priority of astronomical discoveries; "Based on the above-mentioned reasons, I hereby declare that this court has no jurisdiction, and believe that both parties are equally responsible." The judicial official was obviously unable to answer in any other way. Besides—this may be what the judge intended—to dismiss both parties together, at least there is no need to worry that they will fight each other in this situation.This can be very beneficial. However, neither the parties nor the supporters think the case is over.If Mr. Prowth had hoped to get his way out of the "no jurisdiction" declaration, he would have to give it up. Two voices overwhelmed the chirping of the verdict. "I ask for the floor," cried Mr. Dean Forsyth and Dr. Hudson in unison. "Though my verdict is irrevocable," said the judge, in a tone of geniality which he never forsaken even in the gravest of cases, "I agree fully with Dean Forsyth. Sir and Dr Hudson speak, if they will speak one after the other." This is too much to ask of the two opponents.They always answered together, with the same eloquence and the same intensity of speech.They refuse to delay a word, or even a syllable, to each other. Mr. Prowse knew that it would be wisest to let things go.So, he listened attentively.Thus at last he understood the purpose of their new dispute.It was no longer a matter of astronomy but a conflict of interests, a claim of ownership.In a word, since the bolide should land in the end, who will it belong to?To Mr. Dean Forsyth?To Dr. Hudson? "To Mr. Forsyth!" shouted the supporters of the Round Tower. "To Dr. Hudson!" Fanta supporters chanted. Mr. Prose beamed with a charming philosopher's smile.He asked everyone to be quiet, and there was no sound at once.How much interest is there! "Gentlemen," he said, "permit me first to advise you that if the bolide does fall..." "It's going to come down!" cried the supporters of Mr. Dean Forsyth and Dr. Hudson, eagerly. "All right!" the judge condescended politely.Such cases are rare among judicial officials, especially in America. "Personally, I don't find any inconvenience in falling meteors, I just hope it doesn't fall on the flowers in my garden." Bursts of laughter circled and echoed among the audience.Mr. Prowse took advantage of this moment of appeasement, and cast a good-natured look at his two interrogators.well!Good intentions are in vain.It will be easier to tame the murderous tiger than to reconcile these two sworn litigants. "Then," continued the fatherly judge, "since a bolide worth 5788 billion is involved, I advise you to share it together!" "No!" This categorical negative word burst out from all directions.Neither Mr. Forsyth nor Dr. Hudson would ever agree to share!Undoubtedly, if the two are split in half, each will get nearly three trillion yuan; however, a few trillion yuan can't be worth the decent problem. Mr. Prowth, well versed in human frailties, was not greatly surprised by the unanimous disapproval of his wise advice, nor was he panicked, but once again waited for the commotion to subside. "Since no mediation will work," he said, as soon as he could be heard, "the court is about to reverse this judgment." Upon hearing this, there was a sudden silence, as if by magic.No one dared to interrupt Mr. Prowse, who was dictating in a calm voice, as his clerk wrote: "This court," to hear the reasons and defenses of both parties; "Whereas the arguments made by the parties are of equal value and are based on the same evidence; "Whereas the discovery of meteors has no necessary relationship with the above-mentioned ownership, and because the law itself is noncommittal on this, and because there is neither law to follow nor any precedent for similar cases; "Whereas such so-called ownership, even if exercised for good reason, may in practice be met with insurmountable difficulties due to the particular nature of the proceedings, and as any judgment may become a dead letter, which would endanger any civilized The principles on which society is founded cannot but diminish the just authority which the matter of judgment has in the public mind; "Whereas prudence must be exercised in such particular cases of litigation; "Finally, whereas, regardless of the evidence presented by the parties, this prosecution revolves around hypothetical events that have a high probability of being unrealized; "Whereas it is still possible for meteors to fall in the oceans which constitute three-quarters of the earth; "In view of the fact that under certain circumstances, once any issue sufficient to cause disputes disappears, the case will inevitably be dismissed; "for the above reasons, "it is decided to postpone the conclusion of the case until the bolide in dispute has actually fallen and has been formally verified. "Period," dictated Mr. Prose, rising from his easy chair.The interrogation ends here. The audience is still reveling in the power of Mr. Prowse's string of sensible "givens."Indeed, the bolide is likely to fall into the ocean, and when it reaches the bottom of the sea, it is almost impossible to salvage it.Also, what insurmountable difficulties are the judges referring to?What do these mysterious words mean? All this is intriguing, and contemplation can often calm the over-excited mind. Mr. Forsyth and Dr. Hudson did not appear to be thinking, for at least they had not calmed down.On opposite sides of the hall, they pumped their fists at each other and spoke out to their supporters. "I will not admit the sentence," cried Mr. Forsyth, with a voice like a bell. "It's just ridiculous!" "The verdict is ridiculous!" Dr. Hudson was also shouting at the top of his voice. "You actually said that my shooting star won't fall!..." "I wonder if my shooting star will hit the ground!..." "It will fall where I announced it! . . . " "I've identified where it fell!..." "Since I don't get fair treatment..." "Since it's unfair to me!..." "I will defend my rights to the death, and I will leave tonight..." "I will do my best to stand up for my rights. I will start today..." "To Japan!" howled Mr. Forsyth. "To Patagonia!" cried Dr. Hudson in the same way. "Okay!" The two opposing camps each gave the only reply. When the crowd flocked outside, they were divided into two parts, and those troublemakers who could not find a place in the court hall also joined in.It was a real mess; shouting, incitement, threats, intimidation.Needless to say, violence was imminent, for Mr. Forsyth's supporters were clearly eager to kill Mr. Huddleson, and Mr. Hudson's supporters were keen to kill Mr. Forsyth. style ending... Fortunately, the authorities have taken steps.A large number of policemen intervened, resolutely and promptly, and separated the brawlers. As soon as the opponents separated from each other, the obvious anger subsided.However, they must retain an excuse to make the most of their loudness.Even though they stopped shouting at the leader they didn't like, they shouted desperately, and went on shouting for the one they had gathered under. "Yes, Mr. Forsyth!" "Yes, Mr. Hudson!" The bursts of cheers staggered back and forth, the sound was like a huge thunder, and soon turned into a single roar: "To the train station!" the two factions finally howled in unison. The crowd immediately split into two groups on their own and crossed diagonally from Constitution Square.By this time the square had finally lost Walter Flagg's balloon.Mr. Forsyth swaggered at the head of one, Dr. Hudson at the other. The police ignored it and let it go, because there was no need to worry about any riots.There was indeed no danger of a sudden fight between the two parties, and they accompanied Mr. Forsyth in a manly manner to the West Railway Station, the starting point for San Francisco and Japan.The other road escorts Mr. Hudson to the East Railway Station, which is also the terminus of the line from New York to Patagonia, which is equally heroic and high-spirited. The scolding sound gradually weakened, and then disappeared into the distance. Mr. Pross stood on the steps in front of his house, looking at the chaotic crowd, but he was also relieved.So I remembered that it was time for lunch, so I walked home.Suddenly he was approached by a gentleman and a lady, who had been walking round the square. "Excuse me, a word, Mr. Judge," said the gentleman. "With all due respect, Mr. Stanford, Mrs. Stanford," replied Mr. Prose kindly. "Mr. Judge," continued Mr. Stamford, "we came to you two months ago for the purpose of getting married. . . . " "It has been a privilege in my life," declared Mr. Prowse, "to have this opportunity of acquainting you." "Today, Mr. Judge," Mr. Stanford continued, "we come before you for a divorce." Mr. Prowse was an experienced and worldly man, and he knew that this was not the time to try to mediate. "I'm also glad to have the opportunity to get to know you again." He said without showing any panic. The two court attendants bowed. "Please come to the humble house." The judge suggested. "Is it necessary?" asked Mr. Seth Stanford, as he had done two months ago. Then Mr. Prows replied coldly, as he did two months ago: "You don't have to." It's really tactful.Moreover, although a wedding is not generally announced under such unusual circumstances, it is not made any more difficult in the great United States. Nothing could be more convenient, it seems, and in this astonishing American country it is much easier to break off than to marry.In some U.S. states, as long as you have a false official residence, you don't have to appear in person to get a divorce.There are specialized firms that search for witnesses and provide replacements.These firms specially recruit senior staff for this purpose, and among them there are quite a few well-known experts. Mr. and Mrs. Stanford need not resort to such tricks.They have completed the necessary formalities in Richmond, Central Virginia, where they do have a residence.They had come to Weston now from sheer fancy, to break off their engagement in the old place where they had been married. "Do you have official certificates?" asked the judge. "It's mine," said Mrs. Stanford. "It's mine," said Mr. Stanford. 普罗思先生拿过证书，审阅了一番，确信他们完全合乎法律及各种必要的手续之后，只作了如下答复： “这是一份印好的离婚证书，只要登上名字和签个字就行了。不过，我不知道我们能否在此地……” “请允许我向您推荐这支极好的钢笔。”斯坦福先生打断他的话说。 “这个文件夹当个垫纸板，真好极了。”斯坦福太太补充着，把一个大大的平底盒从她侍女手里拿过来递给法官。 “您真会随机应变。”后者赞许着，并着手填写起印就的证书上的空项。 这项工作完毕，他便把钢笔递给斯坦福太太。 斯坦福太太即没有仔细看看，也没有因迟疑而双手发抖，当下就签了名：阿卡狄娅·沃克。 塞思·斯坦福先生也同样冷静而沉着地在她之后签了名。然后，他们像两个月前一样，每人递上一张五百美元的钞票：“这个是手续费。”塞思·斯坦福先生第二次这么说。“这是给穷人的。”阿卡狄娅·沃克太太重复道。 他们不再稍事耽搁，向法官鞠了个躬，彼此招呼了一下，便头也不回走掉了。一位上威尔科克斯郊镇，另一位则朝相反的方向走去。 当他们走得无影无踪的时候，普罗思先生才终于回到了家里，午饭已经等了他很久很久了。 “您知道吗，凯特，我该在我的招牌上写个什么？”他对老女仆说着，把一块手巾塞在下巴底下。 "I don't know, sir." “我真该写上：'此处可骑马结婚，徒步离婚。'”