Next I cross-questioned her as to her refusal of my offer to marry on the ground that I was already the husband of one infant wife, and whether it was not the fact. She responded that I had referred her to Mr Chuckerbutty Ram for corroboration of my story, and that he had informed her that my said wife was a post mortem.
Here I cleverly took the legal objection that what Mr Ram said was not evidence, and warned her to be careful, while the Hon'ble Judge partly upheld my contention, remarking that it was evidence that a conversation was held, but not of the truth of the facts stated in such conversation, thereby showing clearly that he did not credit her story.
Upon the whole, I am confident that I have at least silenced the guns of Witherington, Q.C., for upon the conclusion of my cross-examination, he admitted that he had no further questions to ask the plaintiff.
My solicitor says I shall have to buck myself up if I am to reduce the damages to any reasonable amount, and that he had been desirous from the first to brief Witherington. But this is to croak like a raven, for the cross-examining is, after all, of very minor importance compared to the Gift of the Gab—in which I am notoriously nulli secundus.
2.15 p.m.—The Court has returned. Witherington's Junior has called Jessimina's mother, whom I shall presently have the bounden but rather painful duty to cross-examine sharply.
Already I experience serious sinkings in stomach department. Sursum corda! I must buck it up.
XXIX
Further proceedings in the Case of Mankletow v. Jabberjee. Mr Jabberjee's Opening for the Defence.