Explore "The Brothers" by Ambrose Bierce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Scene -- "A lawyer's dreadful den.
Enter stall-fed citizen."
LAWYER. -- 'Mornin'. How-de-do?
CITIZEN. -- Sir, same to you.
Called as counsel to retain you / In a case that I'll explain you.
Sad, "so" sad! Heart almost broke.
Hang it! where's my kerchief? Smoke? / Brother, sir, and I, of late, / Came into a large estate.
Brother's -- h'm, ha, -- rather queer / Sometimes "(tapping forehead) "here.
What he needs -- you know -- a "writ" -- / Something, eh? that will permit / Me to manage, sir, in fine, / His estate, as well as mine. / 'Course he'll "kick"; 't will break, I fear, / His loving heart -- excuse this tear.
LAWYER. -- Have you nothing more? / All of this you said before -- / When last night I took your case.
CITIZEN. -- Why, sir, your face / Ne'er before has met my view!
LAWYER. -- Eh? The devil! True: / My mistake -- it was your brother.
But you're very like each other.