“Yes.”
“And that automatically carries a death sentence with it?”
“Unless the jury recommends life imprisonment,” Mason told her.
“Would the jury do that in my case?”
“It’s hard to tell. It depends on the evidence. It depends on the jury. It depends on the manner in which the prosecutor presents the case. It’s quite possible he could inflame the jury into returning a verdict of first-degree murder without recommendation. On the other hand, the prosecution may not even try to get a death penalty — because of the circumstances. You never can tell.” Mason watched her carefully as she digested that bit of information.
“And first-degree murder with a recommendation?” she asked.
“Life imprisonment,” Mason said.
“All right,” she told him. “Do your best. It’s all right with me.”
“But suppose,” Mason told her, “I lose — we lose. How are you going to feel then?”
Her smile was almost maternal. “Bless your soul, Mr. Mason,” she said, “quit worrying about me. I’ve lived a full life, and an active life. I’ve never gained anything by worry. When I was younger, I used to do a lot of worrying. Twenty years ago I decided I was finished with it. I have confidence in you. I know you’ll do anything and everything anyone could possibly do. If the jury decides I’m guilty of murder, and that they’re going to hang me, why then I’ll hang. That’s all there is to it... and I have an idea I’ll walk up the steps to the scaffold without showing any white feather... Now then, Mr. Mason, I’ve been talking quite a while, and I’m feeling a little drowsy. If there’s nothing else you wanted to ask me about, I’ll take a nap.. · · I’m sorry about those two witnesses. It complicates the case from your standpoint. I can see that... it doesn’t look so good for me... However, there’s nothing I could say or do that would be of the lightest help, Mr. Mason. I’m afraid it’s up to you to do the Worrying.” She patted a pillow under her head, closed her eyes, and exhaled a long-drawn sigh. An expression of calm tranquillity Softened the lines around her face as it settled into repose.