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Chapter 16
Duringacontroversyofthischaracter,JeemsCunninghamtestifiedthathismotherspelleditCunninghamondeedsandthings,butshewasreallyaConingham,shewasanuncertainspeller,aseldomreader,andwasgiventolookingfarawaysometimeswhenshesatonthefrontgalleryintheevening.AfterninehoursoflisteningtotheeccentricitiesofOldSarum’sinhabitants,JudgeTaylorthrewthecaseoutofcourt.Whenaskeduponwhatgrounds,JudgeTaylorsaid,"Champertousconnivance,"anddeclaredhehopedtoGodthelitigantsweresatisfiedbyeachhavinghadtheirpublicsay.Theywere.Thatwasalltheyhadwantedinthefirstplace.
JudgeTaylorhadoneinterestinghabit.Hepermittedsmokinginhiscourtroombutdidnothimselfindulge:sometimes,ifonewaslucky,onehadtheprivilegeofwatchinghimputalongdrycigarintohismouthandmunchitslowlyup.Bitbybitthedeadcigarwoulddisappear,toreappearsomehourslaterasaflatslickmess,itsessenceextractedandminglingwithJudgeTaylor’sdigestivejuices.IonceaskedAtticushowMrs.Taylorstoodtokisshim,butAtticussaidtheydidn’tkissmuch.
ThewitnessstandwastotherightofJudgeTaylor,andwhenwegottoourseatsMr.HeckTatewasalreadyonit.
