A woman will inevitably couple with a categorical answer to a question, if in truth she can be induced to give one at all, a statement of damaging character to her opponent. For example:
"Do you know the defendant?"
"Yes, to my cost!"
Or
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-three,—old enough to have known better than to trust him."
Forced to make an admission which would seem to hurt her position, the explanation, instead of being left for the re-direct examination of her own counsel, is instantly added to her answer then and there.
"Do you admit that you were on Forty-second Street at midnight?"
"Yes. But it was in response to a message sent by the defendant through his cousin."
What is commonly known as "silent cross-examination" is generally the most effective. The jury realize the difficulties of the situation for the lawyer, and are not unlikely to sympathize with him, unless he makes bold to attack the witness, when they quickly chance their attitude.