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           "Therehasbeenarequest,"JudgeTaylorsaid,"thatthiscourtroombeclearedofspectators,oratleastofwomenandchildren,arequestthatwillbedeniedforthetimebeing.Peoplegenerallyseewhattheylookfor,andhearwhattheylistenfor,andtheyhavetherighttosubjecttheirchildrentoit,butIcanureyouofonething:youwillreceivewhatyouseeandhearinsilenceoryouwillleavethiscourtroom,butyouwon’tleaveituntilthewholeboilingofyoucomebeforemeoncontemptcharges.Mr.Ewell,youwillkeepyourtestimonywithintheconfinesofChristianEnglishusage,ifthatispossible.Proceed,Mr.Gilmer."

           Mr.Ewellremindedmeofadeaf-mute.IwassurehehadneverheardthewordsJudgeTaylordirectedathim—hismouthstruggledsilentlywiththem—buttheirimportregisteredonhisface.Smugnessfadedfromit,replacedbyadoggedearnestnessthatfooledJudgeTaylornotatall:aslongasMr.Ewellwasonthestand,thejudgekepthiseyesonhim,asifdaringhimtomakeafalsemove.

           Mr.GilmerandAtticusexchangedglances.Atticuswassittingdownagain,hisfistrestedonhischeekandwecouldnotseehisface.Mr.Gilmerlookedratherdesperate.AquestionfromJudgeTaylormadehimrelax:"Mr.Ewell,didyouseethedefendantualintercoursewithyourdaughter?"

           "Yes,Idid."

           Thespectatorswerequiet,butthedefendantsaidsomething.Atticuswhisperedtohim,andTomRobinsonwassilent.

           "Yousayyouwereatthewindow?"askedMr.Gilmer.

           "Yessir."