By defaulting on court order I knew I was in the poo when I had to front up again in the debtors court.
Mr WC Beerworth had lost a few of his clients (me being one of them) as another lawyer Mrs O'Rielly had come to town and knew when a good thing was going, I had fronted up before on a charge and she had an order made against me to pay a pound a week, and I had missed one or two payments. Having a few others to pay as well, some weeks I was a bit short and food in my book came first.
The court officer calls my name and I get up into the box, and without hesitation, no question of why I missed the payment and not looking at me MrsO'Reilly said the fateful words.

Your honor! she barked, I ask that Mr—be given ten days imprisonment for contempt of court. You know its bloody marvelous what can go through your mind in a few seconds.

Mr Beerworth got to his feet saying, Come Come you can't do that!. And went into conference with her, a minute or so later she again spoke to his honour rescinding what she had asked for previously, and went on to say the Mr---be told of his obligations and that the previous amount recorded be continued.

Well I got a lecture from the judge, the order made and dismissed., but if Mr W C Beerworth was the ugliest lawyer ever I would still have kissed him.