“Mr. Nealman was given to reading the Bible at various times?”
“On the contrary I don’t think he ever read it. He didn’t have a copy. He was not, outwardly, according to the usual manifestations, a highly religious man.”
“Yet you say he was intrinsically religious? At least, that he had religious instincts?”
“He had very fine instincts. He had a great deal of natural religion.”
“You often brought him books, you say. Yet you must have thought it peculiar—that he would ask for the Bible—in the dead of night.”
“Yes.” Her voice dropped a tone. “Of course it was peculiar.”
“Then why didn’t you notify some one about it?”
“Because he told me not to.”
The coroner seemed baffled—but only for an instant. “Did it occur to you that he was perhaps trying to get some religious consolation—just before he took some important or tragic step? Did the thought of—suicide ever occur to you?”