"Which class do you consider the most numerous of the three?"
"I consider the second the most numerous, and wish the oath to be retained for them."
"That is, of all the men you see examined in our courts, you think the most come under the class of those who will, under the influence of strong motives, tell lies, if they have not the Koran or Ganges-water in their hands?"
"Yes."
"But do not a great many of those whom you consider to be included among the second class come from the village-communities—the peasantry of the country?"
"Yes."
"And do you not think that the greatest part of those men who will tell lies in the court, under the influence of strong motives, unless they have the Koran or Ganges-water in their hands, would refuse to tell lies, if questioned before the people of their villages, among the circle in which they live?"
"Of course I do; three-fourths of those who do not scruple to lie in the courts, would be ashamed to lie before their neighbors, or the elders of their village."
"You think that the people of the village-communities are more ashamed to tell lies before their neighbors than the people of towns?"
"Much more—there is no comparison."