Mr. White Lush: You heard a scream proceeding from 119, the house in which the murder was committed?
Witness: As near as I can remember, sir.
Mr. White Lush: That is not what I want. You possess the usual number of senses, I suppose?
Witness: I defy anybody to say anything to the contrairy.
Mr. White Lush: You look like a sensible woman. (Here the witness made an elaborate curtsey to Mr. White Lush, which occasioned much laughter.) Your hearing is good?
Witness: It air, sir. Mrs. Beale was saying to me only yesterday morning, ‘Mrs. Preedy,’ says she——
Mr. White Lush: Never mind what Mrs. Beale was saying to you. Listen to what I am saying to you. On the occasion we are speaking of, you heard a scream?
Witness (after a long pause, during which she seemed to be mentally asking questions of herself): I think I may wenture to say, sir, I did.
Mr. White Lush: Ah, that is more satisfactory. Now, Mrs. Preedy, attend to me.
Witness: I’m a-doing of it, sir.