He turned his head
suddenly to the wall.
Mr. Thorndike stood irresolute, and then sank back into his chair.
The first man in the line was already at the railing, and the questions
put to him by the judge were being repeated to him by the other
assistant district attorney and a court attendant. His muttered answers
were in turn repeated to the judge.
"Says he's married, naturalized citizen, Lutheran Church, die-cutter by
profession."
The probation officer, her hands filled with papers, bustled forward and
whispered.
"Mrs. Austin says," continued the district attorney, "she's looked into
this case, and asks to have the man turned over to her. He has a wife
and three children; has supported them for five years."
"Is the wife in court?" the judge said.
A thin, washed-out, pretty woman stood up, and clasped her hands in
front of her.
"Has this man been a good husband to you, madam?" asked the young judge.
The woman broke into vehement assurances. No man could have been a
better husband. Would she take him back? Indeed she would take him back.
She held out her hands as though she would physically drag her husband
from the pillory.
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