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THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT
it plainly. Is it true or not true that you were drunk? That is the gist of the question."
When Watson attempted to tell how Patsy had injured his face in his attempts to bat with his head, Watson was openly scouted and flouted, and Judge Witberg again took him in hand.
"Are you aware of the solemnity of the oath you took to testify to nothing but the truth on this witness stand?" the Judge demanded. "This is a fairy story you are telling. It is not reasonable that a man would so injure himself, and continue to injure himself, by striking the soft and sensitive parts of his face against your head. You are a sensible man. It is unreasonable, is it not?"
"Men are unreasonable when they are angry,"
Watson answered meekly.
Then it was that Judge Witberg was deeply outraged and righteously wrathful.
"What right have you to say that?" he cried.
"It is gratuitous. It has no bearing on the case. You are here as a witness, sir, of events that have transpired. The Court does not wish to hear any expressions of opinion from you at all."
"I but answered your question, your Honor," Watson protested humbly.
"You did nothing of the sort," was the next
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