“Could not? Really! you astonish me! And why not, please?”
“Because Mrs. Cheever would never have consented. She is a good woman.”
This unexpected answer to the old trick question jolted Beattie perceptibly and brought the jury forward a little. The tears gushed to Charity's eyes and she felt herself unworthy a champion so pious.
Beattie acknowledged the jolt with a wry smile and returned:
“Very gallant, Mr. Dyckman; you want to be a gentleman and avoid the perjury, too. But I must ask you to answer the question. Suppose you had been guilty.”
Silence.
“Answer the question!”
Silence.
“Will his Honor kindly instruct the witness to answer the question?”
Jim broke in, “His Honor cannot compel me to suppose something that is impossible.”