Judge Taylor laughed outright. Oh sit down, Horace, hes doing nothing of the sort. If anything, the witnesss browbeating Atticus.

Judge Taylor was the only person in the courtroom who laughed. Even the babies were still, and I suddenly wondered if they had been smothered at their mothers breasts.

Now, said Atticus, Miss Mayella, youve testified that the defendant choked and beat youyou didnt say that he sneaked up behind you and knocked you cold, but you turned around and there he was Atticus was back behind his table, and he emphasized his words by tapping his knuckles on it. do you wish to reconsider any of your testimony?

You want me to say something that didnt happen?

No maam, I want you to say something that did happen. Tell us once more, please, what happened?

I toldja what happened.

You testified that you turned around and there he was. He choked you then?

Yes.

Then he released your throat and hit you?

I said he did.

He blacked your left eye with his right fist?

I ducked and itit glanced, thats what it did. I ducked and it glanced off. Mayella had finally seen the light.

Youre becoming suddenly clear on this point. A while ago you couldnt remember too well, could you?

I said he hit me.

All right. He choked you, he hit you, then he raped you, that right?

It most certainly is.

Youre a strong girl, what were you doing all the time, just standing there?

I toldja I hollerednkickednfought

Atticus reached up and took off his glasses, turned his good right eye to the witness, and rained questions on her. Judge Taylor said, One question at a time, Atticus. Give the witness a chance to answer.

All right, why didnt you run?

I tried to . . .

Tried to? What kept you from it?

Ihe slung me down. Thats what he did, he slung me downn got on top of me.

You were screaming all this time?

I certainly was.

Then why didnt the other children hear you? Where were they? At the dump?

No answer.

Where were they?

Why didnt your screams make them come running? The dumps closer than the woods, isnt it?

No answer.

Or didnt you scream until you saw your father in the window? You didnt think to scream until then, did you?

No answer.

Did you scream first at your father instead of at Tom Robinson? Was that it?

No answer.

Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?

No answer.

What did your father see in the window, the crime of rape or the best defense to it? Why dont you tell the truth, child, didnt Bob Ewell beat you up?

When Atticus turned away from Mayella he looked like his stomach hurt, but Mayellas face was a mixture of terror and fury. Atticus sat down wearily and polished his glasses with his handkerchief.

Suddenly Mayella became articulate. I got somethin to say, she said.

Atticus raised his head. Do you want to tell us what happened?

But she did not hear the compassion in his invitation. I got somethin to say an then I aint gonna say no more. That nigger yonder took advantage of me an if you fine fancy gentlemen dont wanta do nothin about it then youre all yellow stinkin cowards, stinkin cowards, the lot of you. Your fancy airs dont come to nothin your maamin and Miss Mayellerin dont come to nothin, Mr. Finch

Then she burst into real tears. Her shoulders shook with angry sobs. She was as good as her word. She answered no more questions, even when Mr. Gilmer tried to get her back on the track. I guess if she hadnt been so poor and ignorant, Judge Taylor would have put her under the jail for the contempt she had shown everybody in the courtroom. Somehow, Atticus had hit her hard in a way that was not clear to me, but it gave him no pleasure to do so. He sat with his head down, and I never saw anybody glare at anyone with the hatred Mayella showed when she left the stand and walked by Atticuss table.

When Mr. Gilmer told Judge Taylor that the state rested, Judge Taylor said, Its time we all did. Well take ten minutes.