Mr. White Lush: You look like a sensible woman. (Here the witness made an elaborate curtsey to Mr. White Lush, which occasioned much laughter.) Your hearing is good? Witness: It air, sir. Mrs. Beale was saying to me only yesterday morning, 'Mrs. Preedy,' says she---- Mr. White Lush: Never mind what Mrs. Beale was saying to you. Listen to what I am saying to you. On the occasion we are speaking of, you heard a scream? Witness (after a long pause, during which she seemed to be mentally asking questions of herself): I think I may wenture to say, sir, I did. Mr. White Lush: Ah, that is more satisfactory. Now, Mrs. Preedy, attend to me. Witness: I'm a-doing of it, sir. Mr. White Lush: Thank you. Did the scream proceed from a man or a woman? Witness (with energy): I couldn't tell you, sir, if you went down on your bended knees. Mr. White Lush: Reflect a little; take time. You have heard hundreds of men's and women's voices---- Witness: Thousands, sir. Mr. White Lush: And a woman of your discernment must have perceived a difference between them. Women's tones are soft and dulcet; men's, gruffer and more resonant. It is important we should know whether it was a man's or a woman's voice you heard? Witness: It ain't possible for me to say, sir. Mr. White Lush: Is that really the only answer you can give? Witness: I'd give you another if I could, sir. It's true I've 'eerd thousands of men's and women's voices, but I've not been in the 'abit of 'aving thousands of men and women screaming at me. Mr. White Lush: Was it a loud scream? Witness: There was a brick wall between us, and it must 'ave been a loud scream, or I couldn't have 'eerd it. Mr. White Lush: What followed? Witness: Music. Almost on the top of the scream, as a body might say, I 'eerd music. Mr. White Lush: What instrument was being played upon? Witness: The pianner, sir. I 'eerd the pianner playing. Mr. White Lush: That is to say you heard a man or woman playing the piano? Witness: I wouldn't swear, sir. Mr. White Lush: Or a child? Witness: I wouldn't swear, sir. Mr. White Lush: But you have sworn. You say that you heard the sound of a piano? Witness: I did 'ear it, sir. The pianner was playing. Mr. White Lush: A piano can't play of itself. You heard a man, or a woman, or a child, playing the piano? Witness: Wild 'orses sha'n't tear it from me, sir. It might 'ave been a spirit. Mr. White Lush: What do you say to a cat? Witness: No, sir, it ain't reasonable. Mr. White Lush: You stick to the spirit, then? Witness: It might 'ave been. Mr. White Lush: You believe in spirits? Witness: I do, sir. Mr. White Lush: Out of a bottle? (Laughter.) Magistrate: The witness has the bottle-imp in her mind, perhaps? (Renewed laughter.) Mr. White Lush: Very likely. (To witness): Did the spirit you heard playing come out of a bottle? Witness (with dignity): I am not in the habit of making a beast of myself. Mr. White Lush: But a little drop now and then, eh, Mrs. Preedy?