Lilian wore someone’s senior cap and gown, imported for the occasion by one of the girls. That explained the big package which Lilian had had. Her hair piled high, as much of it out of sight as possible, she made a pretty Portia. Rising with much dignity and solemnity, she announced that the first case called would be that of the state against Edith Fuller. “Bring in the prisoner!” she sternly commanded. Whereupon the bailiff called loudly for Edith Fuller, and two officials marched down the aisle to where the astonished Edith sat. Edith had accompanied a sister to Greycliff, as one of the “little girls,” and had been chosen as the first victim because the senior committee thought that she would not be as likely to be embarrassed as the new girls. Meanwhile the rest could get used to the idea!
“Is the prosecution ready?” inquired the judge.
“The prosecution is ready, your honor,” declared the fierce prosecuting attorney.
“Is the defense ready?”
“Your honor, the defense is ready!”
Edith was wondering of what she was supposed to be guilty, but rather enjoyed it, once she had recovered from her surprise at being a part of the show.
“What is the charge against the prisoner?”
The prosecuting attorney presented the case with an air of great importance.
“On the nineteenth day of September, honorable judge and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant, as we shall prove in this court, assaulted A. Fly, with intent to kill, and upon the same date, within a few hours of the first dastardly attempt, took the life of S. Keeter. The prosecution proposes to show that the attack was premeditated and executed with deadly effect. The remains were viewed by several witnesses for the prosecution, and the act itself had two eye-witnesses.”
A witness was called to the stand. A little delay ensued before this witness was sworn according to custom, and two officials left the room to bring in immediately the unmistakable bulk of Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, upon which the witness pledged herself to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.