“Do you think the defendant is perfectly capable of managing his own affairs?”
Still in vain.
“I ask you,” said Jeffrey, “do you consider the man is perfectly rational?”
No answer yet.
“Let me tackle him,” said Cockburn.
Jeffrey sat down, whereupon Cockburn assumed his broadest Scottish tone and accent, and turning to the obdurate witness, began—
“Hae ye your mull wi’ ye?”
“Ou, ay!” said the awkward countryman, and diving his hand into his coat pocket he drew forth his snuff-horn and handed it over to the witty counsel.
“Noo, hoo lang hae ye kent John Sampson?” inquired Cockburn, tapping the mull familiarly with his finger, and taking a pinch.
“Ever since he was that heicht,” was the ready reply, the witness indicating with his hand the alleged altitude.