"Yes," said Judge Mann, his gaze leaving her, maybe reluctantly, as he scribbled something on his note-pad, "life was breathing air a good many million years before a fairly advanced science noticed that air was a mixture of different gases, had weight and mass, other properties. Well, go on, Mr. Hunter." Edith thought: _Maybe that'll larn him._ And over there beside her friend, the Old Man's dark eyes were watching, saying as plainly as eyes could say it that he was pleased with her, and that he was profoundly frightened. "I've enjoyed this little excursion into philosophy, Miss Nolan, and I'm glad his Honor lent us a hand with it--'way over my depth, I'm afraid--but now I suppose we'd better get back to the facts. Well, one thing first: am I right in supposing that in your view, this--this act of acceptance, I think you called it, has to happen first before one is even allowed to believe in a Supreme Being?" She could not help glancing toward the Judge, who was watching the prosecutor, coldly intent and unjudicially angry. The corner of her eye gave her the solemn approving nod of the juror Emma Beales, the sudden relaxation--_everything's all right, boys_--in the foreman Peter Anson. She understood that Judge Mann was waiting for her. "Mr. Hunter, I also enjoyed that excursion into philosophy, but unless the Court rules it's relevant, I will not discuss my views on religion with you." "They are not relevant to the case," said Judge Mann, "and the witness is not required to answer." Hunter nodded politely. "I've certainly no wish to press the point. But may I ask--and by the way, I won't urge you to respond to this question either if you'd rather not--may I ask, Miss Nolan, whether you're willing to state the reasons for your refusal to answer?" "Quite willing. Religion is a topic that too easily stirs up a lot of emotion if there's any serious discussion or conflict of opinion. I assume the members of the jury belong to more than one religious faith. Some of them might share my views, others might be offended by them--I can't tell. But since religion, so far as I can see, has absolutely nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of my friend, I think it would make no sense anyhow for me to get into the subject." The Old Man over there nodded slightly, maybe a kind of cheering, a way of saying his gal Red could take care of herself. _But can I?_