“Did you ever attend the decedent’s wife—Mrs. Peixada—this woman here—the prisoner at the bar?”
“On the 20th of July last I began to treat her for a sprained ankle. I called on her every day or two, up to the 30th.”
“You were treating her for a sprained ankle. Did you make any observation of her general health?”
“Naturally.”
“And you found it?”
“Excellent.”
“How about her mental faculties? Any symptoms of derangement?”
“Not one. I have seldom known a smarter woman. She had an exceptionally well-balanced mind.”
“That’ll do, doctor,” said the district-attorney. To the other side, “Want to cross-examine?”
“Is a well-balanced mind, doctor,” asked Mr. Sondheim, “proof positive of sanity? Is it not possible for one to be perfectly rational on ordinary topics, and yet liable to attacks of mama when irritated by some special circumstances?”