 One of the Timson clan is accused by his wife of trying to drown her in their communal bath. Rumpole appeals to Featherstone s weaknesses and is able to plea bargain the domestic violence to a lesser charge. The resultant fallout from women s rights groups labels him a male chauvinist and the Lord Chancellor makes it clear that his judicial robes are in jeopardy. When Timson is brought before Featherstone again shortly thereafter on a charge of robbing a liquor store and assaulting its female manager, the judge feels undue pressure to better his standing with feminists. Rumpole is also distracted when he learns that Hilda is taking law courses with the object of joining his chambers.