Mann thought: _Sorry, Bud!_ "The Court will rule it admissible in
cross-examination. Answer the question, Miss Welsh."
"Well, I don't know what she had to be unhappy about, with--"
"Miss Welsh, may I have a responsive answer to my question?"
"Haven't a notion what the question was all about."
"It may be too difficult. I withdraw it. You have known Miss Blake, by
sight that is, for eight years. During that time, has your relation with
her ever been cordial?"
"Naturally I tried to put up with--"
"I will repeat the question. During the eight years since 1951, has your
relation with Callista Blake ever been cordial?"
On the doodle-pad a freshly drawn bull contemplated a tiny
spinster--angular long skirt, hat with cherries, defensive umbrella. No
fence between her and the beast. Mann drew one, post-and-rail, the top
rail fallen. He felt rather proud of the bull: a fine solidity in the
foreshortened barrel body; grandeur and melancholy. He sketched in grass
and bending daisies to answer the curves of huge elongated scrotum and
ponderous sheath. In the right foreground he added a miniature rabbit
bundled up in a black gown. Cecil might enjoy the damned thing, on some
relaxed evening far in time from the present hour.
"I don't--I don't understand the question."
"Very well--I withdraw it. Is that wrist watch the one you were wearing
on the evening of last August 16th?"
"Yes."
"Does it have a luminous dial?"
"No, I don't want radium and things in my system."
"But last August 16th, in the deep twilight after nine o'clock, you
could easily read it?"