The Man And His Friend

A MAN quarrelled with his friend.

"I have been much deceived in you," said the man.

And the friend made a face at him and went away.

A little after, they both died, and came together before the great
white Justice of the Peace. It began to look black for the friend,
but the man for a while had a clear character and was getting in
good spirits.

"I find here some record of a quarrel," said the justice, looking
in his notes. "Which of you was in the wrong?"

"He was," said the man. "He spoke ill of me behind my back."

"Did he so?" said the justice. "And pray how did he speak about
your neighbours?"

"Oh, he had always a nasty tongue," said the man.

"And you chose him for your friend?" cried the justice. "My good
fellow, we have no use here for fools."

So the man was cast in the pit, and the friend laughed out aloud in
the dark and remained to be tried on other charges.

-THE END-
Robert Louis Stevenson's short story: The Man And His Friend

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