"Mrs. Fogson, I can hardly believe you would be guilty of such an atrocious act even on your own confession, nor can I believe that Jed would assault your husband without good cause."
"It is true, whether you believe it or not," said Mrs. Fogson sullenly.
Dr. Redmond's answer was to open the outer door and call "Jed!"
Jed entered at once, and stood in the presence of his persecutors, calm and undisturbed.
"Jed," said the doctor, "Mrs. Fogson admits that she scalded her husband in trying to scald you, and urges, in defense, that you assaulted Mr. Fogson. What do you say to this?"
"That Mr. Fogson struck me over the shoulder with a horsewhip, and that I pulled it away from him. Upon this he sprang at me, and in self-defense I grappled with him, and while we were rolling over the floor Mrs. Fogson poured a dipper of hot water over her husband, meaning it for me."
"Is this true, Mr. Fogson?" asked the doctor.
"Yes, it's about so. Mrs. Fogson acted like an idiot."
"If she had scalded Jed instead of you, would you say the same thing?"