JUDICIARY: Holmes's Friend

On a rainy, misty evening in Washington, 20-odd years ago, a tall, frail, aquiline man was striding hurriedly home for his punctual 7 p.m. dinner. Turning a corner, he bumped spang into another hurrying stroller, a large, portly man with walrus mustaches.

The big man seized the other's hand and said: "Isn't this Mr. Brandeis? I am Mr. Taft. I once did you a great injustice, Mr. Brandeis. I am sorry."

"Thank you, Mr. Taft."

"Good night, Mr. Brandeis."

"Good night, Mr. Taft."

William Howard Taft had been one of the seven former presidents...