FROME. Was he very much upset that Friday morning, or was he fairly calm?     

       RUTH. Dreadfully upset. I could hardly bear to let him go from me.     

       FROME. Do you still love him?     

       RUTH. [With her eyes on FALDER] He's ruined himself for me.     

       FROME. Thank you.     

CONTENTS

         He sits down. RUTH remains stoically upright in the witness-box.       

       CLEAVER. [In a considerate voice] When you left him on the morning of Friday the 7th you would not say that he was out of his mind, I suppose?     

       RUTH. No, sir.     

       CLEAVER. Thank you; I've no further questions to ask you.     

       RUTH. [Bending a little forward to the jury] I would have done the same for him; I would indeed.     

       THE JUDGE. Please, please! You say your married life is an unhappy one? Faults on both sides?     

       RUTH. Only that I never bowed down to him. I don't see why I should, sir, not to a man like that.     

       THE JUDGE. You refused to obey him?     

       RUTH. [Avoiding the question] I've always studied him to keep things nice.     

       THE JUDGE. Until you met the prisoner—was that it?     

       RUTH. No; even after that.     

       THE JUDGE. I ask, you know, because you seem to me to glory in this affection of yours for the prisoner.     

       RUTH. [Hesitating] I—I do. It's the only thing in my life now.     

       THE JUDGE. [Staring at her hard] Well, step down, please.     

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