“But what time was it—at what time in the afternoon was it that you saw him?”
She did not answer immediately, and Tom, as he looked at her, saw that she was swaying, as though she was about to fall.
“Perhaps the witness had better sit down while she gives her evidence,” said Mr. Morrow.
Patty did not seem to understand him, and her father spoke to her in a low voice. Then she sat down mechanically, as though she did not know what she was doing.
“Take courage, Patty!” burst out Tom. “God knows I am innocent of this! God knows I am!”
“The prisoner must be silent!” said the magistrate, rapping on the desk before him with his knuckles. Then, speaking to Patty again: “At what hour in the afternoon was it that you saw him?”
Patty looked up and her eyes met Tom’s. He tried to smile. “Speak out, Patty, and tell everything,” said he.
“About five o’clock,” said she, faintly.
“What was said between you?” said the magistrate.
There was a pause of dead silence, every one listening to catch the answer. At last the magistrate, after waiting a while for her to speak, repeated: