"Yes, until he went to school."
"And was he a normal and healthy boy?"
"Quite."
"Did you see him when he returned home recently?" asked Mr. Middleheath, rising to re-examine.
"Yes."
"You are aware he was discharged from the Army suffering from shell-shock?"
"Yes."
"And did you notice a marked change in him?"
"Very marked indeed. He struck me as odd and forgetful at times, and sometimes he seemed momentarily to lose touch with his surroundings. He used to be very bright and good-tempered, but he returned from the war irritable and moody, and very silent, disliking, above all things, to be questioned about his experiences at the front. He used to be the very soul of courtesy, but when he returned from the front he refused to attend a 'welcome home' at the village church and hear the vicar read a congratulatory address."
"I hope you are not going to advance the latter incident as a proof of non compos mentis, Mr. Middleheath," said the judge facetiously.