His hand left his eyes and returned to his hat—a wide-brimmed harvest hat, with a shoestring tied tightly round the crown.
When the judge spoke again it was with seriousness.
"Nicholas—your name is Nicholas, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"How old are you?"
"Twelve, sir."
"Can you read?"
"Yes, sir."
"Write?"
"Y-e-s, sir."