“Witness,” said the judge, “you must answer the questions put to you.”
“Land o’ Goshen! Hain’t I been doin’ it, Jedge? Let the blame cuss fire away, I’m ready.”
“Then,” said the lawyer, “don’t beat about the bush any more. You and the prisoner have been friends?”
“Never.”
“What! wasn’t you summoned here as a friend?”
“No, sir. I was summoned here as a Presbyterian. Nary one of us ever was friends. He’s a old-line Baptist without a drop o’ Quaker blood in him.”
“Stand down,” yelled the lawyer in disgust.
“Hey?”
“Stand down!”
“Can’t do it. I kin set down, ef ye want me to, or I kin stand up, but I can’t stand down.”