Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/181

 Would you like to sit down?'

Oh, no, thanks,' replied Pigott, a little flurried.

"The President. 'Well, but I think it is better that you should sit down. Here is a table upon which you can write in the ordinary way—the course you always pursue.'

"Pigott sat down and seemed to recover his equilibrium.

"Russell. 'Will you write the word "livelihood"?'

"Pigott wrote.

"Russell. 'Just leave a space. Will you write the word "likelihood"?'

"Pigott wrote.

"Russell. 'Will you write your own name? Will you write the word "proselytism," and finally (I think I will not trouble you at present with any more) "Patrick Egan" and "P. Egan"?'

"He uttered these last words with emphasis, as if they imported something of great importance. Then, when Pigott had written, he added carelessly, 'There is one word I had forgotten. Lower down, please, leaving spaces, write the word "hesitancy."' Then, as Pigott was about to write, he added, as if this were the vital point, 'with a small "h."' Pigott wrote and looked relieved.

"Russell. 'Will you kindly give me the sheet?'

"Pigott took up a bit of blotting paper to lay on the sheet, when Russell, with a sharp ring in his voice,