SHARING FATIGUE
I was waiting for some case in which I was a counsel,” says Mr. O’ Flanagan in The Irish Bar, “when the crier called, ‘ Pluck and Diggers,’ and in came James Scott, Q.C., very red and heated, and throwing his bag on the table within the bar, he said, C My lords, I beg to assure your lordships I feel so exhausted, I am quite unable to argue this case. I have been speaking for three hours in the Court of Exchequer, and I am quite tired. Pray excuse me, my lords; I must get some refreshment.’ The chief justice bowed, and said, ‘Certainly, Mr. Scott;’ so that gentleman left the court. ‘Mr. Holmes, you are in this case,’ said the chief justice; ‘we’ll be happy to hear you.’ ‘Really, my lord, I’m very tired too,’ said Mr. Holmes. ‘Surely,’ said the chief justice, ‘you have not been speaking for three hours in the Court of Exchequer? What has tired you? ‘ ‘Listening to Mr. Scott, my lord,’ was Holmes’ sarcastic reply.”
