'Yes, sir; I cannot speak above a whisper.'
'Very sad. The coach, you say, gave a sudden lurch backwards, and thus threw you off the hind seat under the coach wheels? Were you sitting or standing just then?'
'Well, I was standing up just then.'
'What made you stand up whilst the coach was in motion?'
'Well, you would have stood up had you been there.'
'Just answer my question; never mind what I should have done.'
'I don't know why I should answer this question.'
The judge pointed out to him that he must answer it.
'Well, I wanted to look at a pretty girl who had passed the coach; you would have done so.'
'Possibly.' Counsel might have given him a sharper reply, but he did not want to lose his hold over the witness by riling him. So he went on: 'Possibly. And then, like the gallant gentleman you are, you kissed your hand to the lady, and then the accident happened?'